Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP Lillian Jones says it was a "very difficult decision" to support changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance.

The Labour-run UK Government won a vote on its plan to restrict the payments to all but the poorest pensioners by 348 votes to 228.

The vote was called by the Conservatives , who put forward a motion to block the government's plans to means-test the benefits.

Lillian Jones, MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, supported the government changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance in the House of Commons.

She said: “This was a very difficult decision, but we were left with no choice.

"This decision was necessary because the previous government made a series of unfunded spending commitments including an in-year £22bn spend leaving a black hole in the country’s finances which required immediate action.

“During the election campaign, I told people that the Labour Government’s priority would be to stabilise the economy so that we would never again face the economic crash that we saw under Liz Truss.

“Obviously those most in need will continue to receive the payment. All of those on pension credit will get the payment, and we want to get as many people onto pension credit as we can.

“In my constituency, according to AgeUK, 1800 pensioners are eligible for, but not in receipt of pension credit.

"I will be working hard over the coming weeks to encourage them to sign up for pension credit which will mean they will receive the winter fuel allowance.

"I will be running an awareness campaign and will host several outreach surgeries in the villages and towns of Kilmarnock and Loudoun to ensure that those pensioners who are eligible receive this benefit.

“It is important to get the facts straight. The vote today does not change the position in Scotland – this vote only affects people in England and Wales.

"That is because from October the Winter Fuel Allowance is devolved, and the Scottish Parliament will soon vote on eligibility in Scotland.

"The Scottish Government have also made the decision – supported by their own poverty commissioner, to means test the winter fuel payment.

“It is also important to add that the winter fuel payment is not being abolished, it is being targeted at the poorest pensioners.”