Rudderless West Dunbartonshire Council – no administration worthy of the name has been in place since Labour threw in the towel in Church Street – has sent out a media release apparently backing Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer’s strategy to get the gruesome twosome out of jail on the Winter Heating Payment controversy.

Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have withdrawn the winter fuel allowance.

The spin doctors are telling the angry world out there that in West Dunbartonshire alone, there are 1664 households with people over the State Pension age on low incomes who are not currently claiming Pension Credit.

It does not state however how many of these people do not have access to computers or are IT illiterate and are told little or nothing about council matters.

Issued in the week when energy prices are being increased by 10 per cent, the council release states: “The benefit, which could be worth up to £3,900 each year, tops up the pension of people over the State Pension age who have a low income, helping with rent and other housing costs. It can even be claimed if someone has other income, savings or owns their home.

“Changes have been made to the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment with the payment of up to £300 only available to those on Pension Credit.

“West Dunbartonshire Council’s Working4U service assisted a claimant who was already in receipt of a number of benefits as well as having a personal work pension. Staff at Working4U completed a benefit check showing he was eligible for Pension Credit.

“He received a benefit award of £1852 per year which also makes him eligible for the Winter Heating Payment.”

Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, pictured left, said: “Our highly skilled teams are able to carry out benefit checks for residents to ensure they are getting the financial support they are entitled to.

“More than 1600 households in West Dunbartonshire could be missing out on Pension Credit which, not only could be putting more money in their pockets every month, but could also mean they are eligible to receive extra money during the winter to help with their fuel bills.”

Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Hazel Sorrell said: “I would encourage anyone who thinks that they could be missing out to contact the Council’s Working4U team straight away who will be pleased to help.”

What neither the Labour convener or vice convener state though is that they are grateful for being able to helping the Labour Party with their campaign to divert the outrage which has been expressed by millions of pensioners about the cack handed and cruel way they have handled this matter.

One of these, Isabella Bainbridge, was truly angry at the council’s handling of this matter. She said: “Why do you say this … if you have £1 over the said amount to be eligible for pension credits you will not get this benefit … those who have been said to be on a low income and are able to receive pension credits are better off than those who are £1 or £2  over amount to get credits … they are the ones who are in need of help … as they do not get the benefits to have the rent council tax dental service glasses hearing aids or help with anything they probably really need … I wish people would understand this and not all pensioners who cannot get pension credits are well off … they are the poorest people in the country… and the ones who have worked all their working lives and paid the NI therefore get the new state pension that conveniently the government have made this £2 or £3 over amount required for pension credits… sorry but it really annoys me when I see adverts like this one telling people they may be entitled to this benefit when they full well know this us not the case … can you please word your information correctly and not give poorest people a false hope …”

More information is available from the council’s Working4U team through the online form at www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working4u/how-do-you-access-our-service/ or by calling 01389 738296.

West Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau can also assist on 0800 484 0136 or at www.wdcab.co.uk and residents can apply directly via the UK Government’s website at www.gov.uk/pension-credit