Winter Fuel Payments 'should be paid to all'

Most Brits would like to see Winter Fuel Payments made available to everyone who needs it - regardless of their age, a study has found.

Researchers who polled 2,000 UK adults for energy giant Npower found two-thirds think the scheme should be expanded to support anyone who is currently living in hardship.

And 59% of existing beneficiaries think it should too - while 34% admit they don't really need the allowance. Of these, a quarter say they don't use the funds to keep their house warm - instead using it to buy gifts, groceries and to help pay for Christmas.

People born on or before November 5, 1953, are eligible to receive up to £300 towards heating bills.