State pensioners told exact hours to put heating on after Winter Fuel Payment cut

State pensioners have been issued the exact time to switch their heating on after losing the £300 Winter Fuel Payment. BestHeating have shared their advice on how to keep warm and reduce the risk of mould growing.

Jess Steele, heating technology expert at the group, said: “The best way to keep warm at night without leaving the central heating on is to have your radiators running for a few hours in the evening and then set a timer so that the heating comes on an hour before you plan to wake up.

“That way you don’t need to completely turn the heating off and your boiler won’t have to work as hard to come back on.” Ms Steele continued: “Having the heating on for short periods of time is a good idea to prevent mould growth, especially in the morning but having it on all night can cause the warmer air to hold and trap excess moisture.

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"When the warm air comes into contact with the icy cold windows, it can cause window condensation which then develops into a mould problem.” he added: “If you’re looking for more ways to keep warm at night without cranking up the heating, there are plenty of guides available online that tell you all the ways to stay toasty in bed.

"One great tip is to opt for flannel sheets and fleece bedding to escape the winter chill, both materials are reasonably priced and act as great insulators.” It comes after it emerged an additional 50,000 pensioners will be living in relative poverty next year as a result of cuts to the winter fuel payment, the government's own estimates have revealed.

Earlier this year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the £300 payment would be restricted to all but the poorest pensioners - those eligible for pension credit. In a bid to soften the impact of the cuts, the government launched a campaign to encourage eligible pensioners to apply for pension credit.