'Keir Starmer U-turns on winter fuel payment cuts'

Posted on May 22, 2025

On the announcement of the government's intention to review the winter fuel payment threshold, our Chair was quoted in the Times welcoming the decision following several weeks of lobbying.

‘Sir Stephen Houghton, Labour leader of Barnsley council who heads the Sigoma group of urban authorities, praised the decision as “a welcome sign that the government is listening to voices from across local government who have seen the impact that this decision has had locally.”’ 

You can read the full article here.

Our Chair was also quoted in LocalGov:

‘Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton, chair of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA), welcomed the decision. 

He said the previous threshold for accessing the support “left too many pensioners struggling”. 

“Today’s announcement is a welcome sign that the Government is listening to voices from across local government who have seen the impact that this decision has had locally.”’  

You can read the full article here.