Hull City Council to Offer Aid After Winter Fuel Payment Cuts

Hundreds of pensioners affected by reductions to the winter fuel payment could receive additional assistance. Hull City Council has endorsed proposals to allocate £307,000 to support residents with the most limited incomes who no longer qualify for the allowance. The authority stated that those receiving council tax support of between 80% and 99% would automatically receive a £200 payment. Council leader Mike Ross commented, “These payments should benefit over 1,500 pensioners across Hull.” The winter fuel payment was previously provided to all pensioners to help with energy bills. However, in July, the government announced it would only be made to those on low incomes who received certain benefits, later citing the need to fill a “£22bn black hole left behind by the Conservatives.” The government also declared an extension to the Household Support Fund (HSF) – money distributed to councils that can use the scheme to give struggling households small payments. Hull City Council welcomed the extension and confirmed it would use the latest allocation to fund the additional financial support. It also plans to utilize its HSF funding to support the operations of foodbanks and provide assistance for low-income households to improve energy efficiency. Mr. Ross added: “As a council, we have called on the government to scrap their plans to cut the winter fuel payment. Regardless of whether that happens, we have to look after our own here in the city.”