Winter fuel fundraisers for pensioners have surged by almost 3,000% after Labour’s cuts to the payments, according to GoFundMe.

The fundraising website said it saw a 2,850% rise in appeals mentioning “winter fuel” this September compared to the same month last year.

It added that more fundraisers which brought up the issue were launched in September than the whole of last winter.

A spokesman for GoFundMe said: “As winter approaches, we are seeing people come together to help out friends, families and even strangers when they need it most.

“Britons have been showing their immense generosity doing everything from donating to their local community shop so it can prepare winter care packs to helping charities support the elderly.”

The Labour Government has faced an intense backlash over plans to restrict previously universal winter fuel payments to only OAPs on pension credit.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves blamed a £22 billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they have denied, when she announced the move in July.

The controversial change will see around 10 million pensioners miss out on the payments of up to £300 and is expected to save up to £1.5 billion a year.

But it has been heavily criticised by opposition MPs, charities, unions and some Labour politicians.

A Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152% increase in claims.

“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the household support fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”