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'We take our dogs to bed to stay warm'

BBC An old man sits on a cream leather armchair, looking sad. He has short grey hair and is wearing glasses and a blue and grey plaid fleece shirt jacket.BBC
John and Wenefreda wear fleece shirts, woollen jumpers, long johns and thick socks to cope with the dropping temperatures

A couple say they are relying on their dogs to keep warm as they cannot afford to heat their home.

John Dockree and his wife, Wenefreda, make £5 over the threshold to receive the government winter fuel payment to warm their Tewkesbury house in Gloucestershire.

Labour announced in July that those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits would no longer receive the annual payments, due to "substantial fiscal pressures".

"If we get too cold, we go to bed. The dogs come to bed with us - the dogs are our hot water bottles," said Mr Dockree.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson previously said the government has "no plans to reverse the means testing of the winter fuel payment".

"To ensure winter fuel payments are received by those on the lowest incomes the government is determined to do everything it can to maximise take-up of pension credit which provides a safety net for pensioners on the lowest incomes and opens the door to other benefits including the winter fuel payment," they added.

The couple said they would not survive without their dogs, as their pets keep them warm all night.

"I never envisioned myself being in this situation," Mr Dockree added.

He served in the Armed Forces, and said not being able to afford to heat his home was "like a smack in the face".

Since the couple became ineligible for the winter fuel payment, they can only afford to put the heating on for a short period each day, usually an hour.

"Otherwise, we have blankets and gloves, that's how we sit and watch TV," Mr Dockree said.

A Labrador type dog led on his side on a grey sofa, which has a red blanket on it, as his owner scratches his belly
Mr Dockree said his dogs Connor (pictured) and Miska are a "godsend" as they keep them warm at night

Mr and Mrs Dockree also struggle with mould in their home due to the cold air, so they leave the door open, despite the weather, to try to prevent it.

Mr Dockree, who previously ran as a UKIP councillor, suggested a "sliding scale" should be introduced by the government, meaning those slightly out of the threshold would receive some of the payment.

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