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Almost a million fewer pensioners are eligible for emergency cold weather payments than when the Tories took power, figures show.

Around 1.7million people on Pension Credit could qualify for Cold Weather Payments to help with fuel bills in winter 2017/18.

That was down from 2.6million in 2010/11, according to data requested by Labour from the independent House of Commons Library.

The £25 payout goes to people on certain benefits when average temperatures in their area fall below zero degrees for more than a week.

The total number of payments, which depends on the weather, does not correspond to the number of people who are eligible, which depends on what benefits they receive.

Chilly snaps have triggered the payments 121 times so far this winter - dishing out £91million to benefit claimants of all ages.

(Image: Getty Images)

The sum is more than the previous four winters put together after Britain was battered by the Beast from the East and Storm Emma.

But the number of people on Pension Credit who can qualify has steadily fallen.

There were 2.6million eligible claimants on Pension Credit in 2010/11, the Commons Library figures show.

That fell to 2.4million in 2012/13, 2.1million in 2014/15, 1.9million in 2015/16, 1.8million in 2016/17 and 1.7million in 2017/18.

Figures were not available for 2011/12 or 2013/14.

Labour blamed the fall in Pension Credit claimants on a rise in the state pension age for women, Budget measures since 2011 and changes under the new-style state pension.

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Debbie Abrahams said the figures were “very worrying".

She added: “Extreme cold isn’t to be underestimated and it hits vulnerable people the hardest.

(Image: Daily Mirror)

"It’s important that these extra funds are made available to keep people warm.

"No-one should ever have to choose between eating and heating.”

This winter's total of Cold Weather Payments is still beaten by 2010/11, when they were triggered 374 times paying out £430million to people of all ages.

Payments were also triggered 173 times in 2012/13, dishing out £146million.

By contrast the payments were triggered just once in the entire winter of 2013/14, handing 1,100 people in the Cairngorms £25 each.

The Department for Work and Pensions insisted the take-up rate of Pension Credit has stayed the same since 2009/10 and that 61 per cent of people who are entitled to claim the benefit do so

" Pensioner poverty is at a near a record low and millions now receive a higher income thanks to the Triple Lock and Pension Credit," a spokesman said.

“We’ll also be spending an extra £500m on pensioner benefits over the next year to support those who need it most.”