One million elderly people skipping meals amid winter fuel benefit crisis

The row over Labour's cuts to pensioners' energy payments is about to flare up again after damning new research

The row over the government's decision to slash winter fuel payments is set to be reignited after new evidence revealed that more than 1 million older people are skipping meals because of financial concerns.

The fresh study also suggested that millions are already cutting down on their heating, with warnings about the impact on the NHS. A spike in applications for pension credit, which enables people to receive the winter fuel payments, also means that even some of those who qualify are having to wait up to 12 weeks to receive it because Whitehall has been overwhelmed" with claims, the Observer has been told.