Expat pensioners living in the hottest parts of Europe like the Costa del Sol are finally going to lose taxpayer-funded help with their heating bills, it can be revealed. Britain is spending £22million-a-year on winter fuel allowances for people living elsewhere in Europe, despite more than a third living in sunnier climes. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith today condemns the 'absurd' handouts and vows to change the rules which have cost the UK taxpayer £130million in a decade. People living in Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Malta, Gibraltar and France will lose out, but the taxpayer still faces a bill for pensioners in 25 countries including Poland, Bulgaria and Finland.
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EXCLUSIVE: New rules curbing handouts to start from September
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Pensioners living in Spain, Cyprus, Portugal and France will lose cash
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But people in 25 countries will still be eligible for help with heating bills
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Iain Duncan Smith condemns 'absurd and offensive' use of public money
It includes 50,000 people in Spain, 30,000 in @placeholder, 3,300 in Portugal, 8,000 in Cyprus and 2,000 in Greece.