THE leader of Dorset Council has criticised the decision to scrap the winter fuel allowance.

The Social Fund was a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) scheme aimed at helping people on a low income with paying expenses/bills.

Cllr Nick Ireland, leader of Dorset Council, said: "Following the vote in Parliament today agreeing the changes to Winter Fuel Payment, I am concerned about the negative consequences for elderly and vulnerable residents here in Dorset."

Dorset has the oldest demographic of any county in the UK; in 2021, 37.2 per cent of residents were aged over 60 and 29.6 per cent were aged over 65.

Cllr Ireland said: "Many of our pensioners will simply not be able to afford to heat their homes this winter, and that is just plain wrong.

"As a council, we have already committed significant resources from our reserves to create a Dorset Council Cost of Living Fund.

"This will be put under increased pressure to provide additional support and funding to offset the impact of the loss of Winter Fuel Payments for Dorset residents."