Air fryers to be given to pensioners after winter fuel payments axe

Pensioners are set to be given free air fryers and slow cookers to help reduce energy bills in response to the winter fuel cuts, a council has said.

Conservative-run local authority North Lincolnshire council will hand out energy-efficient appliances in the new year.

Earlier this year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves axed winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners by announcing Labour would means-test the benefit from this winter.

In a move designed to save the Government £1.5billion a year, the annual winter fuel payment of between £100 and £300 will be removed for all but the poorest pensioners.

Previously, all pensioners were given £200, or £300 for those over 80, to help pay their energy bills over the winter.

North Lincolnshire council said it would give £200 to around 3,000 pensioners on council tax relief who do not receive the winter fuel payment.

Council leader Rob Waltham: 'We know many pensioners are struggling and relied on the winter fuel payment at the time of year when energy bills soar.

'The £200 will go some way to help but we want to do more, to help older people eat healthily and at the same time reduce their energy bills by using things like air fryers.

'Thousands of pensioners will be able to get a free energy efficient cooking appliance and have access to healthy cooking lessons.'

Healthy cooking courses will also be made available alongside the the free appliances with the money for the appliances and the £200 coming from the Government's Household Support Fund, the council said.

Air fryers consume less energy than a regular oven because of their small size and quick cooking time, while slow cookers also use less energy than conventional ovens. 

On July 29, Ms Reeves announced - from this winter - retirees in England and Wales will only get winter fuel payments if they receive pension credit or certain other benefits.

The Chancellor insisted the move was necessary to help fill a £22billion 'black hole' she claimed the previous Tory government left in this year's spending plans.

But Whitehall estimates have suggested that 100,000 extra pensioners will be pushed into poverty as a result, while critics claimed the 'cruel' move will force some pensioners to go cold this winter.