The number of pensioners turning to foodbanks in Cornwall has seen a spike this winter (Image: Getty)

       Foodbanks in the rural Cornish towns of St Austell, Redruth, Bodmin and Camborne all saw a sharp rise in the number of pensioners using their services since the government began means testing winter fuel payments last year.

       Pensioners in Cornwall were among the nine million people made ineligible for the payment of up to ￡300 this year after Chancellor Rachel Reeves limited the benefit to those on pension credit or specific other benefits.

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       “I can’t afford to eat as I would like to,” Claire, 77-year-old told the BBC. The retiree, who lives in the market town of Redruth added: “I’ve got to pay my bills. It's far more important that I’m kept warm before I feed myself.”

       Claire and hundreds of others have turned to support from non-profits amid the cold weather of the last few months.

       Jacqui White, who runs a foodbank in nearby Bodmin, said: “Money that they would have spent on food goes on the heating and bills.

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       “They would have had enough to cope - now they haven’t got that money so it’s really difficult.”

       READ MORE: Tories accuse Labour of dodging key question in winter fuel payment clash [REPORT]

       Bodmin is among the Cornish towns that have seen a rise in foodbank use by pensioners (Image: Getty)

       It’s a cause for which Cornish MPs have pressed the government to take action. Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall Ben Maguire asked Rachel Reeves in January how her department was planning to help reduce the number of people and families dependent on foodbanks around the country.

       James Murry, Labour MP for Ealing North replied: “The Government has put in place several measures to support the households who face the greatest hardship, including the Fair Repayment Rate for debt deductions in Universal Credit.

       “The Household Support Fund in England has also been extended until March 31, 2026, which will mean those most in need can continue to access support towards the costs of essentials, such as food, energy and water," he added.

       The Government has also pledged “full commitment” to the triple lock, which safeguards state retirement payouts and will see state pensions rise by a reported ￡1,900 by the end of this Parliament.

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       Rachel Reeves' decision to cut winter fuel payments has been heavily criticised (Image: Getty)

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       However, retirees across England were cutting down on meals, turning down their heating and visiting libraries to keep warm after the ￡300 payment was scrapped for thousands this winter, according to a report by the Unite union group.

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       A survey of the group’s 6,000 members found that two in three had to turn their heating down to cut costs, while a third were taking fewer baths or showers, one in six were cutting back on hot meals and a similar percentage were regularly visiting libraries to stay warm.

       Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned last month: “[Pensioners] are shivering at home, having to go without bathing or hot meals.

       “Retirees should be able to live with dignity after a lifetime of work. Instead of picking the pocket of pensioners, the Government should be looking at a wealth tax that targets the very richest in society.”