Cost of living support for pensioners in the area have been paid just in time for Christmas.

Over the past month, payments from the Conservative government have been issued to thousands of pensioners in Berkshire.

The retirees have received Winter Fuel payments to help with the cost of heating, and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments.

Eligible pensioners have received up to £600 in support from the two initiatives, which have been dispatched for the second year running.

The payments, which have been made in time for Christmas, have been welcomed by Sir John Redwood, the Conservative MP for Wokingham.

Sir John said: “The Conservative Government took unprecedented action to cushion households across Wokingham from the impact of rising prices driven in part by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Pensioners in Wokingham are already receiving good increases to their State Pension, and these latest payments will make a difference to help pensioners with their energy bills and household budgets this Christmas and into next year.”

Bracknell News: Conservatives Alison Swaddle, Rebecca Margetts, Phil Cunnington, Pauline Jorgensen, Johnny Mercy MP, Sir John Redwood MP and George Evans, candidate for Barkham ward. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting ServiceConservatives Alison Swaddle, Rebecca Margetts, Phil Cunnington, Pauline Jorgensen, Johnny Mercy MP, Sir John Redwood MP and George Evans, candidate for Barkham ward. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Nationwide, around 11.9 million payments totalling more than £4.8 billion have been made to pensioners across the UK.

Mel Stride, the secretary of state for work and pensions and Conservative MP for Central Devon said: “We have honoured our commitment to protect pensioners throughout the cold winter months by paying out £4.8 billion of direct support in a matter of days.

“As well as getting this vital money to millions of pensioners, we have fulfilled our pledge to halve inflation and boosted the State Pension through the Triple Lock to ensure pensioners are supported after a lifetime of work.”

Sir John is the MP for the Wokingham constituency, which also covers Earley, Shinfield and villages to the south of Reading.

Advice for how to get support to pay for the cost of living can be found on your council’s website.