The Winter Fuel Payment is being rolled out today with personalised and secure letters being sent from the Executive Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, to eligible pensioners across the borough.
Each letter can be presented at any Post Office branch to immediately collect cash payments of £175 per person. Tower Hamlets is the first council in England to approve introducing a winter fuel payment to restore this payment to pensioners following Government cuts at a Full Council meeting on 2 October 2024.
At a time when the Local Government Association has warned that one in four local authorities are facing bankruptcy, Tower Hamlets Council has set aside nearly £1m to fund the Tower Hamlets Winter Fuel Payment, with two thirds from the Council's funds, which the Council has topped up with funds it receives via the Household Support Fund from Government.
The Mayor has included the Winter Fuel Payment in the budget for next year and further support with energy bills for residents which will be announced in the new year.
The Mayor will announce the council roll out of the payments today when he meets with local pensioners and hands out warm packs including gloves, socks, blankets and a thermal flask.
The Mayor and the Cabinet Member for Cost of Living and Resources, Cllr SaiedAhmed, will also announce a wider council package of winter support.
This includes the opening of Warm Hubs across the borough at libraries and Idea Stores, where residents can drop in to get warm, save on the cost of heating their homes, and have a hot drink, socialise and access support services.
Today’s launch will take place at one of those Warm Hubs, the Ideas Store in Whitechapel. Last year over 20,000 residents used the council’s Warm Hubs.
This winter support package includes a new initiative by the council called ‘Credit Where Credit Is Due’, to support eligible pensioners to claim their pension credit.
A staggering £17 million worth of Pension Credit benefit is going unclaimed in Tower Hamlets which means more than 4,000 households in the borough are missing out on payments worth on average £3,900 a year.
In addition, this month the Council passed a motion about introducing a Meals on Wheels scheme and luncheon clubs to help ensure elderly residents have access to healthy, hot meals and opportunities to socialise.
Tower Hamlets is supporting families in other ways through the Cost of Living Crisis.
For example, it was the first council in the country to provide universal free school meals to all secondary school pupils and the first to restore the Education Maintenance Allowance.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said:
“I've spoken with many elderly residents who are worried at having to endure life-threateningly low temperatures this winter or having to make the impossible choice between heating and eating because they will no longer receive the government’s Winter Fuel Allowance.
“As winter bites and temperatures plummet, we have stepped in to fill the void left by the removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance. We're restoring this vital lifeline for pensioners in Tower Hamlets, who are receiving letters from me, allowing them to instantly collect cash payments at any Post Office branch.
“Tower Hamlets is leading the way in showing how we should prioritise support for those struggling during this cost-of-living crisis, after we became the first Council to introduce universal free school meals and to restore the Educational Maintenance Allowance, and now reversing cuts to protect pensioners this winter.”
Cabinet Member for Cost of Living and Resources, Cllr Saied Ahmed, said:
“We are proud to be the first Council in the country to have approved a Winter Fuel Payment, with eligible pensioners able to immediately collect cash payments.
“With 50,000 pensioners across the country reportedly at risk of being pushed into fuel poverty in the next year, and with many struggling with isolation and loneliness during the dark, cold months, we are prioritising support for elderly residents. I
“In addition to the Winter Fuel Payments and support to access vital Pension Credit payments, the trifecta of policies in our winter support package includes our Warm Hubs, which are now open to provide residents with safe, warm spaces to enjoy a cup of tea, have a snack, socialise and access support services.”
Maggie Phillips, 86 from the Isle of Dogs who attended the warm hub said:
“The Winter Fuel Payment scheme is good news for many older people living here.
“We are fortunate to have a thriving community sector who looks out for older people and I am pleased the council is listening to us.
“Not all of us have broadband and online forms are tricky for many. We need to be able to access services face to face like the Residents’ Hubs or have phone numbers where we can talk to someone.”
Carol Abbott, 72 who runs the East London Pension Group came along to the warm hub with fellow volunteers who help run the social club based at Bethnal Green.
Carol said: “I continue to do voluntary work and am pleased the council has not forgotten us and is running the warm hubs again this year. They are much needed.
“Even though I am in my seventies I know how important social clubs are for older people which is why continue to volunteer.
“With the price of everyday groceries and bills going up every little helps and I ask all older people to sign up to Pension Credit if they haven’t already and the Winter Fuel Payment. You never know until you try!”
For more details visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/costofliving or calling 0207 364 5040.
Posted on Thursday 5th December 2024