Warm hub opens to support pensioners during winter

John and Linda Truscott have been among the visitors to the warm hub at the village hall in Barroway Drove

Pensioners have been invited to a new warm hub in west Norfolk to help them manage the withdrawal of the winter fuel payment.

Tea, biscuits and the chance to play games would be offered over winter at the village hall in Barroway Drove, near Downham Market.

The decision to remove the annual payment means more than 10 million pensioners can no longer receive the benefit, worth between £100 and £300.

The government said it needed to be withdrawn to fill a budget black hole, but critics worried the most vulnerable would suffer.

Warm hub organiser Paula Morton said those in attendance could enjoy biscuits and games

Paula Morton, who organised the hub, said it would offer support and friendship to visitors, as well as being a warm space.

"We just want to get together and have a bit of a social event, bit of a chat and, most importantly, keep warm," she added.

Details of warm hub events would be posted on the hall's Facebook page.

Linda Truscott, who lives in the village with her husband John, said they would get by without the payment.

However, she said the government must "means test" it to make sure those in need were still supported.

"As long as it still gets to the people that need it, I'm OK with that," Mrs Truscott added.

'Extremely concerned'

Norfolk County Council started its own scheme to mitigate the withdrawal of winter fuel payments on Wednesday.

It put aside £1.15m to offer grants to people struggling to stay warm and make ends meet.

Andrew Jamieson, cabinet member for finance, said it would make sure payments made their way "quickly to those who most need them".

"We are extremely concerned about the impact that the government’s decision will have on our communities," the Conservative councillor added.