Shadow chancellor John McDonnell confirmed today that he spends his winter fuel allowance on his energy bills

John McDonnell has admitted he claims the winter fuel allowance - despite having an income of nearly £100,000 a year.

The shadow chancellor confirmed that he receives the money and spends it on his energy bills.

Mr McDonnell also suggested it was 'fair' that millionaires such as Rolling Stone Sir Mick Jagger were entitled to the handout.

The comments came as Labour railed at the Tory policy of means testing the winter fuel allowance.

Mrs May yesterday unveiled her tough love manifesto in which she said she will make the hard choices to address Britain's problems.

Contrasting her approach with Labour's unfunded spending splurge, the Prime Minister said she would not shy away from making 'hard choices' to turn the country into a 'great meritocracy'.

Mrs May said she will ask for sacrifices from wealthy pensioners to help out working people, including means-testing winter fuel allowance. It is thought millions will lose the benefit.

At a press conference today, Mr McDonnell accused the Tories of a 'savage attack on vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who are just about managing'.

'It is disgraceful and we are calling on the Conservative Party to withdraw it,' he added.

Asked why he thought millionaires should be getting the allowance, which is worth £200 per household or £300 for over-80s, Mr McDonnell said it did not worry him.

The 65-year-old said he claimed his own winter fuel handout, saying: 'With regard to the winter fuel allowance, I spend it on winter fuel.

'But the issue there overall is that I'm on an MPs salary and I get taxed as a result of that it will contribute to the overall exchequer and that's the fairest way of doing it.

'I do not want means testing introduced on winter fuel because we know... at least a third do not claim pensioner credit because it's means tested.

'I think it's a more efficient way of getting the money to where it is really needed.'

Mr McDonnell has a £76,000 salary as an MP, and previously-released tax returns show he has a pension from Westminster City Council of around £15,000.

He is also entitled to the full state pension, which is likely to be around £8,000 a year in his case.

His MP pension will be worth more than £35,000 a year, but he cannot start receiving it until he leaves the Commons.

The PM, pictured launching the Scottish Tory manifesto in Edinburgh today, has made clear she will ask for sacrifices from wealthy pensioners to help out working people