Almost ten million pensioners will no longer get winter heating payments, according to Sir Keir Starmer, who justified the government's decision, claiming it is necessary to close a £22 billion "black hole" in the public coffers.

The prime minister of Labour stated in a speech on Tuesday that when it came to public spending, "things [would] get worse before they [got] better," and he had to be honest about it.

Later on Wednesday, a junior minister and energy suppliers will meet to discuss how to assist individuals who are having financial difficulties paying their energy bills.

It occurs in response to a recent report that revealed that the number of people living in fuel poverty has "flatlined" over the previous few years.

"There has been a stalling of progress," declared the government-advising Committee on Fuel Poverty head, the Rt Hon. Caroline Flint.

Ms Flint said that while the war in Ukraine and the Covid pandemic had "obscured the lack of material progress" being made in fuel poverty reduction, the committee had hoped more progress would have been made on its 2023 recommendations.

These included improving the affordability of bills through fairer pricing and creating a "robust" fuel poverty strategy.

Ms Flint added that without a change in government policy, a drop in fuel poverty levels was unlikely in the near future.

Wednesday's meeting was called last week by Energy Consumers Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh after it was announced the energy price cap would rise from October.

Energy regulator Ofgem, trade association Energy UK and Citizens Advice have also been invited to attend.

Ms Fahnbulleh said that together they would "help households in energy debt and take proactive steps to stop others from falling into it".

However, there are concerns the government's decision to stop the annual winter fuel payments, worth between £100 and £300, to pensioners not on means-tested benefits could create a public health emergency.

"In real terms, the changes this winter mean that some older people will face the highest energy bills on record," said Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.

"The impact of living in cold, damp homes is particularly harsh on those older people with a disability, a long-term health condition or with poor mental health."

Age UK, a nonprofit, has launched a petition demanding a government reversal, stating that it believes "as many as two million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut".

In addition, the Conservatives have pushed Labour to rescind its decision and are attempting to oppose the shift in policy in the Commons.