A councillor has blasted the government’s decision to axe winter fuel payments for pensioners - including herself.

Sandra West, 75, a former Labour councillor who is now an independent, represents people from the deprived ward Underhill on Portland.

She said she was ‘disgusted’ at the news that the government has axed the payments.

The government won a vote in the House of Commons on the plan to restrict payments to all but the poorest pensioners by a majority of 120, with 348 votes to 228. 

Winter fuel payments help pensioners with their heating bill with either £200 or £300, normally made in November and December.

It will still be paid to pensioners claiming pension credit to top up those on a low income. The government said that this was a necessary response to 'substantial pressures' facing the public finances this year and next, and that those on the lowest income will retain support.

Cllr West said: “I actually cried. I feel totally and utterly let down. I’m heartbroken not just for me and the people on my ward that I represent, but all the people on the island that rely on that.

Cllr Sandy West said she was 'disgusted' by the government's decisionCllr Sandy West said she was 'disgusted' by the government's decision (Image: NQ) “It’s appalling. I just returned from a council meeting, and it is the most that I have ever been stopped in Fortuneswell. A lady was crying to me, not knowing what to do about it - it’s like something akin to the Great Depression.

“I voted Labour ever since I could vote, and I along with millions others, are disgusted.

“I’ve worked from the age of 15 to 67, I don’t get paid for being a councillor and my total income is around £900 a month through my pension and my ward is one of the most deprived in Dorset.

“I feel betrayed honestly. We live in a 1950s pre-cast concrete house where heating is more difficult."

Regarding the form to fill out to claim the payment, Cllr West said: “I had a look at the form online and there was 200 questions to fill out. I can’t imagine what others are going through when struggling to fill in the forms.”

Cllr West was a Labour councillor prior to the local elections in May, before running as an independent, becoming the longest serving Portland Town Councillor with 22 years service.

She added that she will be visiting MP Lloyd Hatton’s surgery on the island to talk to him about his decision to vote with the government to axe the cuts.