DEBORAH Meaden has called for a means-tested winter fuel allowance, adding that she should not receive the subsidy. 

Deborah Meaden, 65, posted to X on Monday, September 9: "I should not get winter fuel allowance.

"Lots of people should not get winter fuel allowance…lots should.

"A universal scheme was wrong. I’m not sure what the threshold should be but it should be means tested."

The highly successful entrepreneur and Dragons Den Investor, based in Somerset, took to X to share her view on the Government's move to restrict the benefit.

The Government has faced criticism over the decision to means test winter fuel payments, worth up to £300.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the plan to limit the winter fuel allowance in July, as she said there was a need to fill a £22 billion “black hole” in the public finances.

Only those who claim pension credit and other means-tested benefits will receive it after the change.

It is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million – most of whom claim pension credit – saving around £1.4 billion this year.

As the state pension increase will not be until next April, pensioners who have had their winter fuel payments removed will still need to get by this winter.