More than 6,000 pensioners in total will be getting free air fryers in North Lincolnshire, courtesy of the council.
Over 1,000 have already been distributed, with more than 5,000 to be on their way in the next few weeks. It is part of government-funded council help to pensioners this winter, in the wake of the much-reduced entitlement to Winter Fuel Allowance.
Pensioners were able to apply late last year for different energy efficient cooking appliances to get for free from the council. As well as the air fryers, over 1,300 slow cookers and nearly 400 one cup kettles are being sent out in coming weeks.
Frank Cooper, from Kelsey Avenue, Scunthorpe, has been a recipient of a free air fryer. “Since we got it, we’ve not used the gas oven at all,” he said. “We can do quick meals cheaply as there is just two of us and there is no waste. It’s really easy to use and saves on washing up too. I even did crispy roast potatoes for Christmas in it. It’s marvellous.”
North Lincolnshire Council leader, Cllr Rob Waltham, said: “Many pensioners are struggling to pay their energy bills and relied on the winter fuel payment at this time of the when energy bills soar particularly as the temperatures have plummeted and at North Lincolnshire Council we want to do our bit to help. Thousands of pensioners have registered to get a free energy efficient cooking appliance and have expressed an interest in healthy cooking lessons.
“This will help them reduce their bills and enable them to cook nutritious, healthy meals.” The scheme has been funded via the council’s sixth allocation of the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF), covering October to March 31, 2025.
The free air fryer scheme was opt-in, with pensioners required to register their interest either via an online form, or to go a council community hub and get staff to help them register. The cooking appliances were available one per household.
The application period has closed. But anyone who registered will get their free appliance – they do not need to contact the council.
Also through the HSF, the lowest income pensioners who previously got Winter Fuel Allowance have received £200. They were contacted directly by the council, and offered it in the form of cash through the Post Office voucher scheme.
Overall, £750,000 of the £1.3m awarded to the council through the latest HSF round is being directed towards pensioners’ support. The remainder is concentrated on families.
Through previous HSF rounds, the council also organised free community-led air fryer cookery courses for families. More than 1,000 families had participated, and received a free air fryer on completion of the course.
This initiative has continued in the latest round. “Every year the council reviews and sets out how we can support our older residents and this year following the removal of the government fuel payment, we have stepped up and supported our communities,” said Cllr Waltham. “We also hope that we can encourage some healthier eating too, that’s why we will be providing sessions to over 700 older residents who want to know how to use their air fryer efficiently and to learn some new recipes.”
Cllr Waltham advised there may be a little wait for those who have registered and not yet had their free cooking appliance. “We have delivered over 1,000 appliances and are working hard to get the rest into the hands of local pensioners as fast as we can – but with the big numbers this will take some time.”
The free cooking appliances and cookery lessons are in addition to existing council measures, such as packages for older people in leisure, and an energy switching service.
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Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
