PENSIONERS will soon be receiving their winter fuel payments, but it will be lower in value than last year because, according to a letter on file, dated June 9, from Steve Webb, Minister for State Pensions, to Ryedale’s MP, Anne McIntosh: “The previous Labour Government always made it clear that the additional amount of £50 or £100 was a temporary increase to the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2010/11 and no extra payments was projected beyond 2010/11”.

Readers should remember David Cameron standing between Nick Clegg, now our deputy prime minister, and Gordon Brown, during a televised election debate, when the man who is now our Prime Minister responded to a question from Mr Brown with the words: “We are committed to keeping the winter fuel allowance”.

Further, Robert Goodwill, Scarborough & Whitby MP, stated in his letter “Tory pledge on bus passes and fuel aid in the Gazette of February 3, 2010: “My colleagues and I have no plans to cut either the winter fuel payment or free bus passes”.

What a fabrication of the reality.

We can only guess what Labour would have done had they still been in government, but what should this ConDem Government do now, that is the question.

For the Government to reduce the winter fuel allowance, after the coldest winter on record and the cost of living increase, following the increased in VAT, plus 25,400 pensioners dying between December 2009 and March 2010, in England and Wales from cold-related illnesses is, in my opinion, indefensible.

Personally, I think the Government should ensure pensioners receive the additional amount of £50 or £100 as soon as possible and I will be requesting our MP takes appropriate action.

Readers should do likewise if they agree with me.

John Taylor, Norton-upon-Derwent