Cash-strapped Labor councils rebel against winter fuel raid Rachel Reeves

“Pensioners before politics”

The decision has sparked backlash amid fears that elderly households will be forced to choose between food and heating in the coming months.

The government claimed it would save £1.4 billion a year as part of measures to close its fiscal “black hole”.

According to Age UK, 82% of pensioners living below or just above the poverty line will lose their benefit.

Many councils fund their programs through the Household Support Fund, which comes from central government.

Launched in 2021, the fund provides funds to local authorities to use as they see fit to help vulnerable households.

It was extended by Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, in September at a cost of £421m.

Nicky Walker, a Middlesbrough councillor, said: “This is a case of a Labor council putting our pensioners ahead of politics.

“We are using a funding source that was due to end but has been extended by the current government to prioritize pensioners who may have just missed their winter fuel payment this year.”