Concerned residents protest winter fuel cuts outside Jo Platt's office

With Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcing plans to cut the winter payments for millions of pensioners last month, the move has proved hugely controversial and has overshadowed much of Keir Starmer's time as Prime Minister.

The government says that the decision has been made to fill a £22billion black hole in the public's finances, with only those who meet the means-tested requirements still eligible for the £300 payments.

Nevertheless, with growing concern across the borough, residents protested the policy outside Wigan bus station earlier this month and another group protested the cuts through Leigh town centre on Saturday, October 19.

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Jayson was one of the group who protested through Leigh (Image: Protect Our Pensioners) One of the protestors at the 'Protect our Pensioners' march was Jayson Hargreaves, who is part of the Leigh and Atherton independent political group.

Jayson said: "We protested in response to the government's plans to cut the winter fuel payments to millions of pensioners. In Leigh and Atherton alone, there are 16,000 people who will have these benefits removed.

"Everyone at the protest was either directly affected or is close to someone who is being affected by this policy, and we are all very frustrated and disappointed that our MP voted with the government on cutting the payments.

"No one should have to worry about heating or eating and things are only going to get worse as the energy price cap has gone up again."

While Jayson agreed that the richest pensioners should not be eligible for the winter fuel top up, he expressed grave concerns about those who are just above the government's means-tested threshold.

For these pensioners, Jayson and the 'Protect Our Pensioners' group have committed to a fundraising project to help ease their financial burden. 

Jayson, who hopes to continue raising awareness of pensioner's struggles, added that Leigh and Atherton MP, Jo Platt, was understanding of their concerns and said she would donate to the group's cause.

The group wanted to highlight the difficulties facing pensioners above the means-tested threshold (Image: Protect Our Pensioners) Speaking about the winter fuel policy, Jo Platt MP said: "I understand the concerns of those who are just above the means-tested threshold and are anxious about their bills this winter.

"We encourage anyone facing difficulties to reach out to our office, where my staff are ready to assist residents in claiming the benefits they are entitled to.

"We have already helped several individuals who believed they were ineligible."

For enquiries regarding winter fuel support, you can contact the MP's office via email at jo.platt.mp@parliament.uk or by calling 01942 950219. Additionally, residents can reach out to Wigan Council’s ‘Here For You’ team at 01942 489002 to speak with a local advisor.