The government won a vote on the plan to restrict the payments to all but the poorest pensioners by 348 votes to 228 - a majority of 120.

The vote was called by the Conservative opposition, who put forward a motion to block the government’s plans to means-test the benefits.

Age Scotland had called on Scottish Labour MPs to show their support for thousands of their older constituents on low and modest incomes by voting against the UK Government’s plan.

However, only one Labour MP, Jon Trickett, voted against the government, on what he said could “be a matter of life and death” for his Normanton and Hemsworth constituents.

Fifty-two Labour MPs, including seven ministers, did not take part in the vote. Scottish Labour MPs Euan Stainbank (Falkirk) and Kenneth Stevenson (Airdrie and Shotts) were among those not to vote.

Age Scotland’s policy director, Adam Stachura, said: “This winter is going to be brutal for hundreds of thousands of Scottish pensioners on low incomes or living in fuel poverty who now face higher energy bills without the vital Winter Fuel Payment which they relied on.

“We can’t quite believe the UK Government has so doggedly pursued a policy which will make so many pensioners even poorer. By choosing a level for support so low that only 12% of pensioners are guaranteed to keep their Winter Fuel Payment and rushing it through so close to winter that huge numbers, who have no financial wriggle room, can’t possibly prepare is quite frankly disastrous.

“Pensioners on low incomes, who are disabled, in poor health, are unpaid carers, women, or from working class backgrounds are among those particularly affected by this devastating cut. The UK Government have offered nothing to help them if they are just above the line for Pension Credit.

“You cannot possibly believe that someone whose income is £13,000 a year can bear the weight of the UK Government’s flawed decision.

“The really difficult choices will now have to be made in countless homes across the country this winter.”