Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham John Milne has criticised the government for putting thousands of pensioners through "unnecessary hardship" last winter, following Monday's announcement that Winter Fuel Payments will be reinstated for those earning up to £35,000.

The government announced on Monday that Winter Fuel Payments will be reinstated for eligible pensioners earning £35,000 or less per year. The government's decision reverses last year's removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance, which stripped support from millions of pensioners across the country.

Horsham's MP John Milne, who sits on Parliament's Work and Pensions Committee, said the government's delay in recognising the policy's impact had caused real suffering for vulnerable older people.

Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham, John Milne, said:

"I welcome that ministers have finally listened to the evidence and the voices of so many struggling pensioners – including the hundreds of constituents who wrote to me over the past year."

"However, it's deeply disappointing that the government took so long to make this change and put so many through unnecessary hardship last winter. The removal of this support forced people to choose between eating or heating their homes, and for that, the government owes them an apology."

"As a member of the Work and Pensions Committee, I will continue working alongside my Liberal Democrat colleagues to ensure eligible pensioners are actually able to receive this support."

Political opinion: Government owes pensioners an ‘apology' over Winter Fuel, says Horsham MP