Scotland’s charity for older people has written to the 37 Labour MPs representing Scottish seats urging them to put more pressure on the UK Government to reverse its decision to means-test the payment, which can be worth up to £300 a year to low-income pensioners, at such a low level.

Age Scotland has been highly critical of the Chancellor’s decision to limit the Winter Fuel Payment to those in receipt of Pension Credit and remove it from almost 300,000 pensioners living in fuel poverty.

In a message to Scottish Labour MPs, Age Scotland’s chief executive Katherine Crawford urged them to vote against the move, saying the threshold for support is “far too low” and “the government’s plan was rushed, cuts too deep and helps too few this winter”.

She added: “You may not have anticipated facing such a political conundrum so soon into this parliament, but nevertheless it is in front of you. Please don’t turn your back on the people who really need you right now – however hard this is.”

Adam Stachura, policy director at Age Scotland, added: “We have asked Scotland’s Labour MPs to put their older constituents first and vote against the UK Government’s plans. This will be hard for them politically, but it is the right thing to do. A significant rebellion by could help get the message across that the government has made a mistake which can be remedied.

“As things stand, hundreds of thousands of pensioners in Scotland on the lowest incomes and living in fuel poverty will not receive the vital financial support they counted on this winter. These aren’t the shoulders to bear the brunt of budget cuts.

“Losing £200 or £300 from their State Pension package this winter will make life much harder for thousands of their constituents who are already struggling to manage their finances. Many will face impossible choices which will seriously affect their health.

“Abstaining on this vote won’t be enough.”