The number of over-65s heading to A&E soared by more than 90,000 this winter as Labour stripped millions of pensioners of their winter fuel payments.
An analysis of official NHS figures found there were 94,760 more attendances at A&E departments among over-65s in England this winter than in 2023-24.
This represented a 5 per cent increase in A&E attendances among over-65s between September 2024 and last month, compared to September 2023 to February 2024.
Meanwhile, there was a 9 per cent rise in over-65s being admitted to A&E this winter compared to last winter – an increase of 76,190 admissions.
Shortly after Labour’s general election win in July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed she was scrapping winter fuel payments for more than nine million pensioners.
It meant affected households missed out on a tax-free payment of up to £300 to help heat their homes this winter
The controversial move sparked anger from charities who were left furious at Ms Reeves’ decision to means-test the previously universal benefit.
The Tories, who conducted the analysis of the A&E figures, claimed pensioners were being forced to choose between heating and eating.
This was putting their health at risk and forcing new pressures on the NHS, the party added.
Shortly after Labour’s general election win in July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed she was scrapping winter fuel payments for more than nine million pensioners
An analysis of official NHS figures found there were 94,760 more attendances at A&E departments among over-65s in England this winter than in 2023-24
NHS England data showed there were 2,186,905 attendances at A&E among over-65s between September 2024 and February 2025.
This compared to 2,092,145 attendances between September 2023 and February 2024.
Among all age groups, there was a 4 per cent rise in A&E attendances in winter 2024/25 compared to winter 2023/24 – an increase of 287,849 attendances.
The analysis also found there were 941,250 admissions at A&E among over-65s in winter 2024/25 compared to 865,060 admissions in winter 2023/24.
Among all age groups, there was an 11 per cent rise in A&E admissions from 2023/24 to 2024/25 – an increase of 216,826 admissions.
The Conservatives said the analysis showed how Labour’s winter fuel payment cuts were piling pressure on hospitals.
This was even as Britain experienced an average temperature this winter above the long-term average, and warmer than last year.
They pointed to previous research carried out by Labour itself – published in 2017 when Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sat in the shadow cabinet – that found means-testing winter fuel payments would increase excess deaths by 3,850 that winter.
More recent modelling by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that 100,000 pensioners in England and Wales could be forced into relative poverty by 2027 as a result of Labour’s cuts to winter fuel payments.
Tory MP Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: ‘As we have said all along, Labour’s decision to take winter fuel payments away from vulnerable pensioners was wrong.
‘Forcing pensioners to choose between heating and eating is putting pensioners’ health at risk and forcing new pressures on the NHS.
‘After 14 years of rising living standards under the Conservatives, Rachel Reeves has chosen to attack pensioners so she can pour money to her friends running the trade unions. Britain’s pensioners deserve so much better.’
A Government spokesperson said: ‘We are taking action to end the annual crisis in urgent care and have protected A&E departments this winter by introducing the new RSV vaccine, delivering 27.2million Covid and flu vaccines.
‘Alongside this, 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.
‘Many others will continue to benefit from the Warm Home Discount and we have extended the Household Support Fund to help with the cost of heating, food and bills.’
