A veteran with a household income just £5 above Rachel Reeves’s threshold has branded her decision a “disgrace” after being forced to rely on the kindness of a stranger to stay warm this winter.
John Dockree, 73, and his wife Wenefreda, 57, had spent their days huddling with their rescue dogs Miska and Connor to ward off the bitter cold in their one-bedroom bungalow in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
With little money left for heating, they would only turn it on for an hour a day when temperatures plummeted.
But that changed when dog lover and Express reader Scarlett Lirely, 52, saw their story online and stepped in to help.
Tears filled the trio’s eyes during a video call where John described the £500 gift from American reader Scarlett as a “godsend.”
Grandfather of two John, who served as a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer for over five years, said: “I am very disappointed with the British government. Very disappointed that they can treat old people the way they are.
“When old people have to rely on handouts from strangers, especially in other countries, because the Government can’t look after their own. It’s a disgrace.”
Pension credit is not an option for John because his of £213.50 a week, plus his wife’s income from cleaning offices for two hours five days a week, leaves their income £5 above the threshold of eligibility.
Wenefreda is unable to work more because of a medical condition.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
John and Wenefreda Dockree speaking to Scarlett Lirely on video call (Image: Rowan Griffiths)
Scarlett, who spoke to the couple from Nashville, said: “I’m so glad I could help. Your story stayed on my heart.
“I thought ‘I can do something about this’. There’s not too many problems in this world that I could assist with but this was one of them and it just broke my heart.
“I was just sitting there all warm and cosy watching you and I just couldn’t let that injustice stand. I can do something for once in my life and I just thought it was the right thing to do.
“My mom passed away on October 26th so the reason I was able to offer assistance was because of the blessing she left me when she died, so I do it in her memory.”
Before Scarlett’s gift, John and Wenefreda were surviving in their freezing home with the thermostat often reading just 10C.
The couple would shiver through days, wondering how they would make it through the next cold snap.
But now, they can finally keep their home warm for longer.
Speaking to Scarlett, John said: “We can now put the heating on. We can now keep warm. You don’t know just how much you’ve helped us. Thank you. You brought tears to my eyes.
“I didn’t envision the government taking away the winter fuel allowance.”
John and Wenefreda Dockree’s dogs Miska and Connor kept them warm without the heating on (Image: Rowan Griffiths)
Retired automotive engineer, John who previously ran as a UKIP councillor, worked for Mercedes Benz Philippines more than 20 years ago.
His Armed Forces pension and private pension were lost when he combined them into a watchdog-approved firm which went into liquidation.
John was able to recoup a small amount of the losses but he said a significant chunk of his savings disappeared.
As the couple expressed their gratitude, Scarlett could not hold back her own frustration with the government’s decision to cut the winter fuel allowance.
She said: “It’s a terrible thing. They have all this money for other things, which to me seemed less important than keeping people warm in those cold England winters. I’ve never been to England but I’ve paid enough attention that it gets darn right cold just like it does here.
“I’ve been in a position many times where I couldn’t buy groceries but my German Shepherd ate. I went without plenty of meals. I haven’t always been in a position where I’ve had a little bit spare. Life is a struggle.”
The couple’s plight has sparked outrage among campaigners, with Dennis Reed calling it a stark example of government neglect.
Mr Reed, director of over 60s campaign group Silver Voices, said: “John and Wenefreda’s hardship explodes the myth that the Government is supporting all poor pensioners to remain warm this winter.
“The PM, Chancellor and many Ministers have propagated this shameless lie on multiple occasions. I would like to ask Sir , face to face,
how he can explain this couple’s predicament and what he thinks they have done wrong to deserve such energy poverty.
“£5 above the measly pension credit limit and they have to rely on the great generosity of a US citizen to get through the winter. Hundreds of thousands of other older couples continue to shiver because of the Government’s cruelty to pensioners on low incomes.”
The Daily Express has demanded that the Chancellor reinstate the which was axed from up to 10 million pensioners.
Last summer Ms Reeves announced the winter fuel benefit of up to £300 would be removed for many people to save £1.4billion a year.
Previously all pensioners received a lump sum of between £200 and £300 to help with energy bills, but now the payment is available only to those on pension credit who have an income below £218.15 per week as a single person, or £332.95 as a couple.
Since the announcement, applications for pension credit have increased by 145%.
A Government spokeswoman said: “We do not want to see anyone suffering this winter, which is why we have continued the Warm Home Discount and extended the Household Support Fund which will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.
“We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the .
“In addition, in November Energy UK, in collaboration with the Government, published a Winter 2024 Commitment which promises £500m of industry support to billpayers this winter.”