Rachel Reeves defended winter fuel cuts as the “right decision” and insisted pensioners most in need will still receive help.

In a speech to the Labour conference that was disrupted by hecklers, the Chancellor said she would not “duck” difficult decisions.

Ms Reeves claimed the public had chosen Labour at the election because voters decided the party could be “trusted with their money”.

She told party members: “I made the choice to means-test the winter fuel payment so that it’s only targeted to those most in need.

“I know that not everyone in this hall or in the country will agree with every decision that I make.

“I will not duck those decisions for political expediency, not for personal advantage.”

Ms Reeves said Labour was “not a party of protest” as the speech was disrupted by campaign group The Climate Resistance.

One protester was hauled out while complaining about the Government’s arms sales to Israel.

The Chancellor told the conference: “This is a changed Labour Party, a Labour Party that represents working people, not a party of protest.”

Labour has faced criticism over the freebies accepted by members of the Cabinet, including the Chancellor and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Ms Reeves said the British people had “put their trust” in Labour after the party had demonstrated its values.

She said Labour is the party of “working people” and economic responsibility.

“Britain is open for business again,” Ms Reeves told the hall.

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “A smiling and triumphant Rachel Reeves’ attitude at conference is in stark contrast to the feelings of pensioners who she has taken the Winter Fuel Payment away from.

“For 1.2m pensioners in absolute poverty and for 1.6m older people with disabilities, the winter will be a grim time without the support with energy bills they have relied on.

“The Chancellor doubled down on her gamble with older people’s lives to fill a budgetary black hole, which according to reports is £10bn less than was initially claimed. And that’s before the Government takes receipt of the £3bn which it is recovering from the collapse of one of the energy firms.

“While Rachael Reeves tries to claim that the triple lock on pensions is enough to replace these payments, personal finance experts point out that the rise starts next April, when pensioners face an energy bills crisis now.”