Widows 'worst hit' as 50,000 denied winter fuel lifeline - as Labour is slammed as 'Scrooge' by furious campaigners

Labour was branded 'Scrooge' last night after it emerged more than 50,000 pensioners who tried to hang on to their winter fuel payments have been snubbed. Tonight is the deadline to apply for pension credit, and to be eligible for the top-up that Chancellor Rachel Reeves stripped from millions in one of her first acts after taking office. And in a double blow for vulnerable elderly people, a Mail analysis found women, and most likely widows, will be worst hit by the decision to take away the subsidy this Christmas. Tonight is the deadline to apply for pension credit, and to be eligible for the top-up that Chancellor Rachel Reeves stripped from millions in one of her first acts after taking office A Mail analysis found women, and most likely widows, will be worst hit by the decision to take away the subsidy this Christmas Dennis Reed, director of pensioners' campaign group Silver Voices, said: 'This shows what absolute Scrooges ministers are this Christmas. A Government spokesman 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.'