Labour is facing fresh demands to U-turn on axing winter fuel payments after devastating polling revealed most OAPs could not live on the state pension alone. The research found 81% of over-65s said they would not be able to afford essentials such as food, water and energy if they had just £230.25 a week.

The survey has prompted renewed calls for Sir Keir Starmer to look again at restricting the winter fuel allowance to only the poorest pensioners. Tory Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “This Labour Government is punishing pensioners and pushing them to the edge, but they don’t seem to care.

“It is heartbreaking to see some of the country’s most vulnerable who have worked hard all their lives sent to suffer in silence by Starmer.

“We would never have gone ahead with this cruel change, and this shows exactly why.”

Reform MP Lee Anderson added: “Labour has once again proven that its priorities do not lie with the British people.

“No government that truly cared for its citizens would scrap winter fuel payments and put pensioners at risk. Labour must reverse this shameful decision.

“Reform UK will put Britons first – above all else. That includes prioritising our people over foreign aid, net zero, diversity, equality and inclusion, translation services, and anything else deemed unnecessary.”

Independent Age, which commissioned the YouGov poll, is calling for a cross-party review on what an adequate income in later life is in a new report released on Thursday.

The charity’s chief executive, Joanna Elson, said: “It is clear that too many older people are living on inadequate incomes that do not even cover the cost of basic essentials.

“Our helpline is extremely busy. On a daily basis our advisers are hearing dreadful calls from older people who are making painful and drastic cutbacks just to make ends meet.

“These include not washing regularly to save on water, only having one meal a day and socially isolating themselves as they can’t afford to go out for a hot drink with loved ones. This is a tragedy.

“The main takeaway from our research is the need for all political parties to agree on the adequate income needed in later life to live well.

“Once this is established, plans must be put in place to support every older person to receive this amount.”

The Government has faced an ongoing backlash for limiting previously universal winter fuel payments of up to £300 to only OAPs on pension credit.

Ministers blamed a £22billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which the Conservatives have denied.

The policy led to about 10million older people being stripped of the allowance in a bid to save up to £1.5billion a year.

But the move was widely condemned by opposition parties, charities and unions, who warned pensioners would be forced to choose between heating or eating.

The report by Independent Age highlights that 13% of all pensioners and 18% of single pensioners rely entirely on the state pension and other benefits.

It makes a series of recommendations, including widening the criteria to be eligible for the winter fuel payment.

The report also calls for the tax-free personal allowance to stay above the full new state pension to ensure pensioners who have no other income are not dragged into the taxman’s net.

Ms Elson added: “Latest UK Government figures show there are 1.9million older people living in poverty and another million hovering precariously on the edge; these are devastating figures.

“We are particularly worried about those just above the threshold for pension credit, and those facing high housing costs.

“The UK Government needs to implement policies that improve the lives of older people living on low incomes now and lift them out of poverty.

“In practical terms, this should include a review of the level at which people can receive winter fuel payment and an expansion of the eligibility criteria.

“The UK Government should also reverse the decision to only award pensioner-age benefits to mixed-age couples when the youngest has reached state pension age. This policy prevents many older people from boosting their already low income.

“Freezing the income tax thresholds has started to penalise older people living in financial hardship.

“Last month, the gap between the new state pension and the tax-free personal allowance reduced further to less than £1,000. This means older people with only modest private pensions are now facing a tax liability, adding further pressure to their already stretched budgets.

“The income tax personal allowance should stay above the level of a full new state pension, so that those on low incomes do not face further financial strain.”

The decision to axe the winter fuel allowance was widely blamed for Labour’s pummelling in the local elections earlier this month.

The backlash at the ballot box prompted a string of senior figures within the party to break ranks to urge for a rethink.

There were reports that the Government was looking at whether to increase the £11,500 threshold over which pensioners are no longer eligible for the payments, but this was denied by Downing Street.

The fresh attention on the controversial policy has prompted campaign group Silver Voices to relaunch its petition demanding a U-turn.

Director Dennis Reed said: “Labour experienced a drubbing in the recent elections and older voters in particular expressed their anger and disillusionment.

“Politicians from all parties have reported that the scrapping of winter fuel payments played a major part in the humiliating Labour defeats and was the most common issue raised on the doorsteps.

“Now is the time for Labour to admit it made a mistake by caving into the Treasury agenda on pensioner benefits so soon after taking office; and restore the universal winter fuel allowance before next winter.

“An apology to senior citizens for the economic hardship caused would not go amiss either.”

The Daily Express is campaigning for a reversal with our Save Winter Fuel Payments crusade.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

“The most vulnerable pensioners may also be eligible for pension credit which is worth on average £4,300 a year.

“Our pension credit awareness campaign has boosted uptake, with 50,000 more pensioners now on the benefit since the summer compared to the same time last year.”

YouGov polled 2,144 adults from April 25-29.