Council looks to bridge gap from winter fuel cut

Middlesbrough Council's parties have been divided on the winter fuel allowance changes

Pensioners affected by the government's changes to the winter fuel allowance could receive up to £200.

Middlesbrough Council approved plans which will see those on low incomes, who narrowly miss out on the allowance, receive the extra funding.

The plans are funded by the Household Support Fund, which work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall extended last month, granting Middlesbrough £1.65m.

However, independent councillor Michael Saunders fears the scheme "won't be enough".

The winter fuel payment was previously paid to all pensioners to help with energy bills.

But in July, the government said the payment would now be made only to those on low incomes who received certain benefits.

Under the council's plans, pensioners in receipt of the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) and born before 23 September 1944 will receive a payment of £200, while those born between then and 22 September 1958 will receive a payment of £150.

Those not entitled to CTR can apply for £100 per household if they have an illness or disability, or if they are a single pensioner on a yearly income of less than £20,000, or a couple on less than £26,000.

Low income households with children will also be eligible for support, and those receiving free school meals will receive an automated payment of £60 per child.

'Excellent scheme'

At a meeting of the local authority's executive, Labour councillor Nicky Walker, the member responsible for the programme, said the plans helped "those people who just miss out on pension credit often because they’ve worked hard their whole lives and have a small work pension or a small amount of savings".

"We wouldn't be missing out vulnerable families which we have supported in previous years," she added.

Middlesbrough's Labour mayor Chris Cooke called it an "excellent scheme".

He said: "I think local government is about solutions, rather than just sending off a letter [to the government], which we are also doing, asking for the reform of the winter fuel allowance."

The extended HSF will run until 31 March 2025.

'Slip through the net'

However, Michael Saunders, leader of the Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MIDA), believes the fund "will not be enough".

He said: "We feel the government need to go back to the drawing board, and the plans need to be reformed. That's the stand the council should be taking.

"There will be some pensioners will slip through the net, without a shadow of a doubt, that's our concern.

"I just hope the winter is mild and not as severe as others to give struggling pensioners a chance."