Hundreds sign petition calling for people shielding in Sheffield due to Covid to get help paying heating bills

Rob Reiss collected a petition with 585 signatures on calling for the Winter Fuel payments, given to pensioners, to be extended to those shielding.

Presenting the petition to a full council meeting of Sheffield Council, he said: “A cold snap is coming and temperatures in Sheffield will not reach above freezing, even in the middle of the day.

“Everyone is spending more time at home, increasing spend on heating. For those who cannot work due to shielding, the low incomes and higher fuel costs present the choice of going into debt or going without heating.

“Not having heating can lead to their pre-existing condition getting worse or increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses developing.”

Mr Reiss asked whether enough people knew about the council’s local assistance grant.

“How many of those 25,000 people in fuel poverty in Sheffield have accessed this fund so far? From the number of signatures on a petition, I feel this is an issue that is getting worse in the city and the coming weather won’t help,” he said.

Councillor Paul Wood, Cabinet member for housing and communities, said the council would look at how it could publicise its grants better.

He said: “We’ve distributed £331,000 from the hardship fund so far over the last 13 weeks and that has gone to 576 residents.

“We also have a fund that comes through our housing revenue account, of which we’ve recently put £500,000 in, and the government has recently issued us with another £750,000 to put into the local assistance scheme.

“In addition to that, we have a host of other services that can help people.

“The council website gives a very detailed explanation of how to apply but a lot of people may not think of going to the website.

"People can telephone and I will look at how we can get out the message. There is no reason that anyone should be cold or hungry in our city.”

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