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The health secretary has advised pensioners to “layer up” amid warnings that millions will struggle after ministers axed their winter fuel payments.
Wes Streeting also said the next few days were “definitely” a time “to turn the heating on” as temperatures plummet and snow is forecast across the country.
A yellow warning for snow and ice, covering most of England and Wales, is in place from 12pm on Saturday until 9am on Monday.
A separate warning for heavy snow from midnight on Sunday until 12pm on Monday has been issued for most of Scotland.
Mr Streeting told BBC Breakfast: “We are heading into a cold snap this weekend and I know there are lots of concerns, not just amongst charity leaders, but also among NHS and social care leaders as well, about the particular risks and vulnerabilities this weekend as temperatures drop, both in terms of risk of accident and injury, but also risk from the cold itself.
“This is a weekend to wrap up and keep warm, to take sensible precautions about going out and about.”
Mr Streeting had been asked about warnings from Age UK that 2.5 million people need the winter fuel allowance but will not receive it after ministers changed the eligibility.
In a much-criticised move, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last July that the payment would be mainly limited to those who receive pension credit.
Mr Streeting was also told Age UK has said elderly and vulnerable people who are cold should go into debt rather than risk their health.
Ministers have defended the change, arguing they have to “get the money from somewhere” and blaming the last Conservative government for leaving a £22bn black hole in the public finances.
They have also urged less well-off pensioners to apply for pension credit, under which they would still be eligible for the £200-300 winter fuel payment, designed to help with heating costs during the colder months.
Mr Streeting said: “Well this is definitely a weekend to turn the heating on, and I would just remind people that the chancellor did take the decision to protect winter fuel allowance for the poorest pensioners to protect people this winter and in future winters.
“And of course the triple lock on pensions is guaranteed, so the state pension is higher this winter than it was last year and will be higher further still next year. That’s why the chancellor has taken those decisions, to make sure we protect the vulnerable this winter.
“But I would certainly agree that this weekend is a weekend to layer up and put the heating on as well.”
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