Scotland’s national charity for older people has warned that hundreds of thousands of pensioners in the country will be plunged into fuel poverty this winter.

Age Scotland, a charity that works to raise awareness of issues that concern older people and those who care for them said it will be a “brutal” winter for many in Scotland after the UK Government voted to means test winter fuel payments today.

The Conservatives tabled a motion to stop the cut, which took place after a rowdy debate in the Commons where the Labour government was told pensioners would die as a result of the withdrawal of the universal benefit from only those in receipt of eligible benefits such as pension credit - and that pensioners in Scotland would be worst hit.

The Prime Minister saw off an attempt by the Conservatives to block the cut. A total of 348 MPs backed the government, while 228 supported the motion.

Policy director for the charity, Adam Stachura, said: "This winter is going to be brutal for hundreds of thousands of Scottish pensioners on low incomes or living in fuel poverty who now face higher energy bills without the vital Winter Fuel Payment which they relied on.

"We can't quite believe the UK Government has so doggedly pursued a policy which will make so many pensioners even poorer.

“By choosing a level for support so low that only 12% of pensioners are guaranteed to keep their Winter Fuel Payment and rushing it through so close to winter that huge numbers, who have no financial wriggle room, can’t possibly prepare is quite frankly disastrous. 

“Pensioners on low incomes, who are disabled, in poor health, are unpaid carers, women, or from working-class backgrounds are among those particularly affected by this devastating cut. The UK Government has offered nothing to help them if they are just above the line for Pension Credit.

"You cannot possibly believe that someone whose income is £13,000 a year can bear the weight of the UK Government's flawed decision.

“The really difficult choices will now have to be made in countless homes across the country this winter.”

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Sir Kier Starmer faced a rebellion from some of his own MPs as 52 of them – including seven ministers – voted against the government in the House of Commons this afternoon.

Voting records released this afternoon revealed that Scottish MPs Euan Stainbank and Kenneth Stevenson were among 53 Labour politicians not to support the move.

Mr Stainbank, the MP for Falkirk, who was the youngest MP elected from Scotland in July, and Mr Stevenson, who represents Airdrie and Shotts, did not vote, the records showed.