In a speech on Tuesday, Sir Keir Starmer said he had to be honest that “things [would] get worse before they [got] better” when it came to public spending.
The meeting to discuss how to help those struggling with energy bills was called last week by Energy Consumers Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh after it was announced the energy price cap would rise from October.
Regulator Ofgem has said gas and electricity prices will rise by 10% in England, Scotland and Wales under the new energy price cap, with the typical annual dual-fuel bill paid by direct debit to be £1,717 per year.
Ofgem, trade association Energy UK and Citizens Advice have also been invited to attend the meeting.
Ms Fahnbulleh said that together they would “help households in energy debt and take proactive steps to stop others from falling into it”.
Dame Clare said: “Winter fuel payment will still be paid to people receiving pension credit, and that’s actually one of the most underclaimed benefits there is, so 1.4 million people receive pension credit and there’s nearly another 900,000 people who could.
“It’s really important to see better support so that people do access it.”
She said people had until 21 December to apply for pension credit and still receive the winter fuel payment if successful.
However, there are concerns the government’s decision to stop the payments for everyone could create a public health emergency.
Dame Clare called for a “social tariff” – discounted bills for those least able to afford them.
And she said energy suppliers “need to step up to their responsibilities on energy efficiency and on payment plans for those who are struggling”.
Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “In real terms, the changes this winter mean that some older people will face the highest energy bills on record.
“The impact of living in cold, damp homes is particularly harsh on those older people with a disability, a long-term health condition or with poor mental health.”
The charity Age UK says it believes “as many as two million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut” and have launched a petition calling for a government U-turn.
The Conservatives have also urged Labour to back down on the decision and are seeking to challenge the policy change in the House of Commons.
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