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

‘Retirees are ahead of politics’

The decision sparked a backlash over fears that older households will have to choose between eating and keeping warm in the coming months.

Government claims it will save £1.4bn a year as part of efforts plugs its financial “black hole.”

According to Age UK, 82 per cent of pensioners living below or slightly above the poverty line will lose the benefit.

Most councils fund their programs through the Household Support Fund from central government.

The fund, launched in 2021, allocates money to local governments that they can use when they want to help vulnerable households.

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

Middlesbrough councilor Nicky Walker said: “This is a case of the Labor Council putting our pensioners before politics.

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