Coalville councillor Craig Smith has written an open letter to North West Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack after expressing 'grave concerns' about the decision to end the Winter Fuel Payment for some pensioners.

Labour took over in Government last month, and announced plans to end winter fuel allowance.

It is a decision that will affect millions of pensioners - and thousands in North West Leicestershire.

Leicestershire County Councillor Smith, representing Coalvile North, has made his views known in the letter to Ms Hack.

Cllr Smith narrowly lost out to the Labour MP at the General Election.

He wrote: "I have grave concerns about the impact of scrapping the 'Winter Fuel Payment' for some of the most vulnerable members of our community, I have been contacted by many local pensioners who are extremely worried about the financial impact this cruel policy will have upon them.

"There are more than 18,000 pensioners in North West Leicestershire who may lose out on this important payment, for some it will be the difference between 'Heating and Eating'.

"Age UK has called the withdrawal of the payments as "disastrous" and "a social injustice".

North West Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack. Photo: Supplied

"I have written an open letter to our MP, Amanda Hack, urging her to speak up for her residents and challenge her Government's policy in parliament.

"Only those pensioners on Pension Credit can claim WFP. A single pensioner must be receiving less than £218.25 a week or under £332.95 for couples. I urge every pensioner across in NWL who thinks they may be eligible for pension credit to apply via: www.gov.uk/pension-credit, 0800 99 1234 (direct freephone line)

"There are many pensioners that are eligible but for one reason or another do not claim pension credit, If you know someone who may be eligible, please do pass this information along to them."