Fiery Martin Lewis says 'why are you defending this' in winter fuel cut row on GMB

'Martin Lewis and Lisa Nandy clashed in a row over the government's decision to axe the winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners who are not on pension credit'

Martin Lewis put Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy on the spot over the government's contentious move to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. He questioned the Culture Secretary on Good Morning Britain: "Why are you defending this?"

Lewis, known for his advocacy for society's most vulnerable, expressed his bewilderment at Nandy's stance, saying: "Look, you have been a campaigner for the poorest in society for a very long time. So it seems rather odd you are sitting there defending a policy that [charities] are pulling their hair out about."

The debate heated up as the government is under severe scrutiny to reconsider its decision to eliminate the £300 winter fuel payments for most pensioners.

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According to the changes made public in July, only the poorest pensioners who receive pension credits or other benefits will continue to get the payment. However, concerns are growing since approximately 780,000 individuals eligible for pension credit have not yet claimed it, raising fears that many of the neediest will be left without support.

Ms Nandy highlighted the government's significant efforts to enrol the poorest pensioners in pension credit, noting a 115% rise in claimants. Yet, Lewis countered on Good Morning Britain, pointing out: "There is a huge flaw in what you've said."

He criticised the government's current trajectory, stating it would take four years before all these people signed up for support and did not miss out. "You believe they should get pension credit and winter fuel, but they're not going to claim. They are the hardest to reach, you're not writing individual letters to them," he said.

He further added: "There's lots you could do. So to try and talk about it, 'we're targeting the poorest'.. The truth is you're not targeting them. Why aren't you writing them bloody letters?

However, Ms Nandy emphasised that the government is indeed sending letters to eligible pensioners, adding: "I know how strongly you feel about it, Martin. We do take very seriously what you say, what Age UK says, and we're working with the widest range of people to make sure that we do reach those people.

"In fairness, you've just said to me you're not writing them bloody letters; well, we are. I just wanted to explain that because I don't want people to think for a moment we're going to leave them high and dry.

But Mr Lewis, who has been campaigning on the issue, said the government must accept hundreds of thousands of the poorest pensioners "will not be reached this year". He added: "You are taking money out of their hands. Do you accept the truth, the reality is, that is what will practically happen?

Let's be honest, you're willing to accept that collateral damage of hundreds of thousands of pensioners - many [with] dementia - not getting the winter fuel payment.

" Ms Nandy responded firmly, saying: "No, I'm not willing to accept that. It's one of the reasons we've extended the cut-off point to apply [for pension credit] until April next year.

Even if people don't realise right now, despite this sort of conversation happening on national media... they find out later they are still eligible, they can still apply, they will get it backdated. ".