THE idea of means testing pensioners’ winter fuel payments to pay for care of the elderly has got a cool reception in East Lancashire.

Former minister Paul Burstow yesterday said targeting the allowance would help pay for a fairer social care system.

He said limiting the payment of between £200 and £300 to recipients of pension credit could fund most of the £1.7bn cost of implementing reforms of elderly care in England.

Liberal Democrat Mr Burstow explained: “Social care isn’t free, but it could be a lot fairer for those who have worked hard all their lives. By concentrating the winter fuel payment on those eligible for pension credit, we can pay for a cap on care costs.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has already ruled out scrapping the winter fuel payment.

Burnley LibDem MP Gordon Birtwistle, Blackburn with Darwen’s Labour council leader Kate Hollern and leading Hyndburn politicans all rejected the idea.

BELOW: Video - East Lancashire pensioners have their say on means testing for winter fuel allowance benefit

Burnley LibDem MP Gordon Birtwistle, Blackburn with Darwen’s Labour council leader Kate Hollern and leading Hyndburn politicans all rejected the idea.

Seventy-year-old Mr Birtwistle said: “I don’t think Paul is right about means testing winter fuel payments. I think the wealthy should be taxed on them and the money received ring-fenced for long-term care.”

Coun Hollern said: “Older people have paid national insurance all their lives for these benefits and they should not be taken away. Means testing is expensive, complex and often gets the wrong people.”

Hyndburn Tory group leader Peter Britcliffe, aged 62, said: “I think there is a case for scrapping the payment for those pensioners who live abroad in hot climates but not in the UK. When I get my payment, I think I can turn the heating up and that applies to a lot of pensioners. Keeping older people warm saves the NHS money.”

The borough’s Labour MP Graham Jones said: “It should not come down to either or. The problem is that the economy and tax receipts are not growing to pay for these vital things.”