Increase in foreign-based winter fuel allowance payments 'absurd', says MEP

MEP Paul Nuttall

The huge surge in the amount of people based abroad receiving the winter fuel allowance has been branded as "absurd" by Paul Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

Official figures have revealed a near 70 per cent surge in winter fuel payments from the Government to pensioners living across Europe last year.

The Department of Work and Pensions paid £21.4 million to over 115,000 ex-pats and pensioners of any nationality who could prove "sufficient links" to Britain in 2012-2013.

"Once again the EU puts its nose where its not welcome and helps itself to money from the pockets of British taxpayers," said Mr Nuttall, North West MEP.

"Paying out £8.8 million to pensioners in Spain and £5.1 million to those in France seems absurd when we have many others facing freezing conditions in the UK who can't afford to heat their homes.

"The fact that some foreign pensioners living abroad will now receive winter fuel allowance is simply madness.

"Once again we hear the Tories complain about the situation but this has gone on with a Conservative Prime Minister in office."