Middlesbrough Council Introduces Scheme to Aid Pensioners Affected by Winter Fuel Allowance Changes

Middlesbrough Council has approved plans to provide up to £200 to pensioners impacted by the government’s recent modifications to the winter fuel allowance. The initiative aims to support low-income individuals who narrowly miss the eligibility criteria for the national allowance. These plans are financed through the Household Support Fund, which work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall extended last month, allocating £1.65m to Middlesbrough. However, independent councillor Michael Saunders expressed concern that the scheme “won’t be enough”. Historically, the winter fuel payment was provided to all pensioners to assist with energy bills. In July, however, the government announced that the payment would now be limited to low-income individuals receiving specific benefits. Under the council’s proposals, pensioners who receive Council Tax Reduction (CTR) and were born before 23 September 1944 will be issued a payment of £200. Those born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958 will receive £150. Individuals not eligible for CTR can apply for £100 per household if they have an illness or disability, or if they are a single pensioner with an annual income below £20,000, or a couple with an income under £26,000. Low-income households with children will also qualify for support, and those receiving free school meals will automatically receive a payment of £60 per child. During a meeting of the local authority’s executive, Labour councillor Nicky Walker, the member overseeing the programme, stated that the plans assist “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”. She further added: “We wouldn’t be missing out vulnerable families which we have supported in previous years.” Middlesbrough’s Labour mayor, Chris Cooke, referred to it as an “excellent scheme”. He commented: “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 is set to continue until 31 March 2025. However, Michael Saunders, leader of the Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MIDA), expressed his belief that the fund “will not be enough”. He stated: “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.” Saunders added: “There will be some pensioners will slip through the net, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s our concern.” He concluded: “I just hope the winter is mild and not as severe as others to give struggling pensioners a chance.”