Conservative work and pensions spokesman David Willetts yesterday called for a ban on winter fuel payments to pensioners in sunnier parts of the EU and the Caribbean.

Forum Response:ARP/050

A spokeswoman for the ARP/050 told ePolitix.com: "The British state pension is almost at the bottom of the European league and the government justifies this by producing more and more 'add on' benefits - from free eye tests to an extra 25 pence on reaching 80.

"The fuel allowance is just another minor subsidy for a poor pension and all who are entitled should receive it regardless of where they live. After all, it can be just as expensive to stay cool in a warm climate as to stay warm in a cold one."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

A spokeswoman for Help the Aged told ePolitix.com: "Help the Aged believes it is every person's right to receive the benefits and payments that they are entitled to - and opposes any form of postcode rationing.

"However there is an important point to be made about winter fuel payments. Help the Aged strongly contends that older people need a decent basic state pension so that they can afford to pay costs such as fuel bills without being dependent on the winter fuel payment.

"Rather than focus on the tiny number of people receiving winter fuel payments in warmer climates, Help the Aged would like to see the Conservatives campaign for a substantial rise in the basic state pension, to free older people from the worry of paying for heating in the winter months."