Greater Manchester council to divert £200k to pensioners hit by Winter Fuel Payments cuts

The creation of a new fund of £200,000 to support local pensioners hit by the winter fuel payment cuts has been passed by Bolton council.

Labour councillor Sean Fielding tabled a motion in response to growing criticism of the Government decision to means test the winter fuel payment. At the same meeting, the council passed a second motion to ask the Government to review its decision to means test the allowance.

The decision means that £10,000 cash which had been allocated to each of the 20 ward budgets, under the direct control of the local councillors, will be removed and added to the new fund.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Fielding, said: “We were happy to support a motion that asked the Government to reconsider its decision on winter fuel payments, however we also wanted to do something far more constructive in order to actually make a bit of a difference to help people who may struggle with energy bills this winter.

“As we are moving money from unspent councillors budgets to this new fund, there is no additional burden on the taxpayer.”

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In July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that future payments would only be made to those getting pension credit or other means-tested help. The government said the cuts were needed due to a £22bn black hole that the Labour government said it found in the public finances.

This year, the winter fuel payment totals £200 for those on certain benefits and born between September 23, 1944, and September 22, 1958. For those born before September 23, 1944, and on certain benefits, it is worth £300.

The council said the new fund will now be added to an existing local welfare provision fund, and could mean up to £1M being available for a wide range of projects to help and support for vulnerable individuals and families this winter.
The meeting also heard that the council will be working with the Department of Work and Pensions and other local partners on a new drive to contact the estimated 3,400 Bolton pensioners who are entitled to claim pension credit, but are not doing so, which is worth an estimated £11M, per year, in unclaimed credits.

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The £200,000 fund will be taken from the area working discretionary budget for each ward. It is used by councillors to give cash grants to support to community groups and events within their ward.

The allocation was £52,500 to each ward for the financial year 2024/25, that will be reduced to £42,500.