Darlington faces crisis as 18,000 residents lose winter fuel payments amid government cuts

A council has been alerted to the urgent support required by thousands of Darlington residents following a cut in winter fuel payment.

Local Conservative members have blamed Labour for the abolition of the Government's winter fuel payment this week.

Those in England and Wales who are not receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits will be affected by the Government's alterations to winter fuel payments.

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The changes are anticipated to decrease the number of pensioners receiving the up to £300 payment by 10 million. It is estimated that around 18,000 people in Darlington will be impacted.

Conservative Leader councillor Jonathan Dulston challenged the council's position on Labour's contentious decision earlier this week.

In a cabinet meeting, he asked: "Do you support the Government's motion to remove this much-needed benefit from some of the most vulnerable pensioners in our communities? ".

"What has the council been doing for the removal of this lifeline intervention because I am concerned that we are going to see an increase of vulnerable people at the Town Hall front doors needing support."

Labour maintains that the action is necessary to address a "£22 billion black hole" in the public finances, which they claim was left by their Tory predecessors.

Council Leader Steven Harker also highlighted the "financial incompetence and mismanagement" of the previous Conservative-led administration in charge of Darlington Borough Council.

The Labour councillor stated: "The insincerity and faux outrage that's been expressed by Conservatives beggar belief. Let's remember the legacy that your Conservative Government left this country in and there are parallels with what you did locally."

"It's an absolute mess."

"What did you do? Clearly very little. The state of the economy has left this government in a really difficult situation. This decision has come about because the country can afford to not do so otherwise."