Sheffield Council Urged to Restore Winter Fuel Payments Amid National Scheme Changes

Activists have called upon Sheffield City Council to allocate its financial reserves to fund winter fuel payments for individuals who have lost their entitlement due to national modifications to the program. The government discontinued this benefit, valued between £100 and £300, for anyone not receiving pension credit or other means-tested assistance starting this autumn. The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) party announced its plan to submit a petition to councillors on Wednesday, requesting the reintroduction of a payment for 75,000 pensioners in the city. A spokesperson for Sheffield City Council stated that the authority lacked sufficient funds to adopt the proposed policy. Alistair Tice, representing the TUSC, highlighted that both Barnsley Council and Rotherham Council have initiated winter hardship funds. Barnsley councillor Wendy Cain commented that the authority was “working to ensure that all our residents can access a range of support this winter”. Rotherham Council had committed over £1m to its household support fund, aiming to provide additional crisis payments of up to £250 to its residents. However, a spokesperson for Sheffield City Council explained that its financial reserves must be maintained at a specific threshold to cover potential unforeseen emergency expenditures. The council had projected an overspend of £34m and a funding deficit of £68.9m spanning the upcoming four years. The Sheffield Liberal Democrats had previously called on the council to establish a fund for individuals no longer receiving the benefit. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously defended the “tough” decision to reduce the winter fuel payment.