Most pensioners should lose their winter fuel allowance so the money can be used instead on funding the care system, former Lib Dem minister Paul Burstow says.

He says that his care plan will cost an extra £8.4 billion in the life of the next Parliament, offset against lowering winter fuel allowance costs.

"Can it be right, when we're taking away universal benefits such as child benefit, to continue to pay a winter fuel allowance that group of people, many of whom themselves say they don't use it for winter fuel payments, they use it for other things?" he says.

"I'm an optimist and I believe that during this coming year the government will finally face up to its responsibilities and take action."

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