Pensioners ‘panicking’ about winter – Milton Keynes clothes bank

A clothes bank said it had seen an increase in the number of low income pensioners seeking warm clothing, after the government announced cuts to the winter fuel allowance.

The MK Storehouse in Stacey Bushes, Milton Keynes, told the BBC it had given away 89 jumpers and 39 coats last week, which was previously “unheard of”.

The fuel allowance will still be available to those claiming pension credit and some other benefits, but about 10 million people are set to lose it.

Despite voting for the changes, MK North’s Labour MP Chris Curtis said his “main concern” was “the vulnerable people who may face difficulties as a result”.

The winter fuel payments of either £200 or £300 are normally made in November and December, and will still be paid to all pensioners claiming pension credit to top up a low income.

The government won a vote on the plan to restrict the payments to all but the poorest people by 348 votes to 228 – a majority of 120.

The MK Storehouse was set up in 2015 by the Grand Union Vineyard Church and is supported by funding from the Milton Keynes Community Foundation.

It provides donated clothing for adults and children who have been referred to the store.

Manager Rachel Kleinsmith said in a normal week one pensioner would come through the door, but in the week since the winter fuel announcement five retirees had been referred to it for help.

She felt some were panicking because of the speed of the changes.

“Obviously some people are trying to get in quick to be prepared for what’s to come in what could possibly be a very cold winter,” she said.

Chris Curtis, who was elected to serve Milton Keynes North in the summer’s general election, wrote to his constituents to explain why he voted for the cuts.

In a letter, he said he felt it was “necessary” because of the “dire state of the public finances left by the previous government”.

However, he said he had been “reassured by government colleagues” that vulnerable pensioners would not suffer.

He pointed to a government decision to maintain the triple lock on pensions, meaning a rise of more than £900 for the state pension this year and also an extension to the Household Support Fund, providing “£500m of support for those most in need”.

However, he voiced concerns over the low take-up of pension credit, adding that he would be writing to the Labour leader of Milton Keynes Council to see if more could be done locally to increase uptake.