A PETITION to stop thousands of pensioners in Warrington from having their winter fuel allowance cut has attracted more than 600 signatures from residents.

Orford resident Carol Kilgannon started the petition in early August after chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the vital allowance would be scrapped for millions of pensioners across the country.

This was proposed as part of a package of measures to resolve the issue of public finances amounting to £22billion which was supposedly ‘covered up’ by the Conservatives.

Following an unsurprising negative response from the elderly community in Warrington to this news, Carol began a petition to reinstate the allowance for all who were previously entitled to it.

In a statement on the petition page, she said: “Our cherished elderly citizens, specifically over 13,000 pensioners in Warrington North, are on the verge of losing their much-needed Winter Fuel Allowance.

“This daunting reality is more than alarming; it is pushing this vulnerable demographic into dire straits where the bitter and heart-wrenching choice between heating and eating has to be made.”

First introduced in 1997 by the previous Labour government, the winter fuel allowance was a state benefit created to support pensioners with their heating bills over the winter months.

Payments are usually worth between £100 and £300 and are tax-free – the higher end of the bracket is usually available to those who claim other benefits.

However, it was announced in late July that the payment would not be available universally to pensioners across England and Wales and instead only pensioners who claim means-tested benefits will qualify for the allowance this coming winter.

It was confirmed that households that accessed pension credit would be entitled to a £200 allowance and households that were in receipt of the same credit with someone over the age of 80 would be entitled to £300.

Carol continued: “Forecasted to launch this October, a whopping 10 per cent rise on fuel prices will further exacerbate the situation, creating an unbearable burden in the very season when our elderly require the most resources just to keep warm.

“Winter should be a time of peace and tranquillity, not one filled with worry about how to afford the basics.

“In a society that prides itself on social welfare and empathy, it is crucial that we stand against this move.

“We are urging the responsible authorities to consider the unintended human cost of policy changes, and to reverse this decision that is striking at the heart of our communities.”

So far, the petition has received 664 signatures in solidarity with the movement.

Providing a reason for signing the petition, one Warrington resident said: “I will be on state pension next year.

“I suffer with arthritis all over and have to keep warm. Whilst I am working, I am able to use the heating wisely to keep warm. I dread next winter. Get rid of daily service charge as well.”

Meanwhile another outraged resident said: “I am going to have to choose this winter do I starve to death or freeze to death.

“I have relied on that money for the last four years since I retired and cannot afford to live on the state pension. Utterly devastated.”

And another added: “I think after paying all them years into the system, the least the government can do is keep these people warm.”

To sign the petition to reinstate the winter fuel allowance for all pensioners visit the link here.