Council fund to fill gap left by winter fuel cut

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said the hardship fund would help pensioners with bills

A council has started a hardship fund for pensioners in response to the government’s cut to winter fuel payments.

Barnsley Council agreed on Thursday to write to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to request an immediate review of the eligibility criteria for the benefit.

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said the hardship fund would help pensioners with their bills over the winter and "if needs be, beyond that”.

He said: “There is no reason for any pensioner in Barnsley not to be able to pay their fuel bill."

Minutes from the council's executive meeting said the removal of the universal winter fuel allowance would have a considerable impact on low and middle-income pensioners who were not eligible for pension credit.

Sir Steve said the council was not asking the government to reverse the ruling in its entirety, but reassess the criteria for the payment, the Local Democracy Service reports.

“I am a believer in universal benefits, but there is no doubt that on this occasion, on this particular benefit, the country can no longer afford in its current form. Things must change,” he said.

The winter fuel payment was previously available to all pensioners and worth up to £300.

Under changes to the scheme it will now only be available to those who receive pension credit.

Sir Steve said: “The poorest pensioners are clearly on pension credit and they will continue to receive the winter fuel allowance.”

Barnsley Liberal Democrats leader Hannah Kitching pushed for the council to ask the government to fully reverse the decision to scrap the winter fuel payment, but her proposal was voted down.

She said: “This is on every single one of you – when blood gets spilt, it will be on your hands, and as your opposition, we will hold you to account.”

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