Freezing residents in blocks of flats without cladding told 'wear a hat and gloves' and 'don't drink alcohol' to keep warm

01.03.2022 - 21:51 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Social housing tenants in Salford, who have suffered freezing conditions since flammable cladding came off their blocks, were sent a 'scandalous' letter in December advising them to 'wear a hat and gloves' to keep warm.

The letter, from Pendleton Together, who manage the nine council-owned blocks in Pendleton, includes some 'top tips for keeping warm'.

Two of the tips were to 'dress in layers and maybe wear a hat and gloves if you still feel cold' and 'don't drink alcohol to keep warm as it can give you a false feeling of warmth when you're actually cold'.

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It also told residents to 'have warming food and hot drinks' and to 'stay as active as you can'.

The housing association said they 'apologise to any resident who felt uncomfortable or patronised'.

The letter came to light at a council scrutiny meeting last night (Monday, February 28) - where a 4.1 per cent rent increase for the blocks was discussed.

But the focus of the meeting soon shifted to this letter - with councillors across the board expressing their outrage.

Conservative Darren Ward, one of the two councillors who 'called in' the decision to increase the rent, brought the letter to the committee's attention.

He said that it was 'ridiculous' and 'not on' to increase the rent in the circumstances.

Labour Councillor Tony Davies said that asking people to wear layers indoors is 'so condescending'.

"I just found it incredibly, incredibly condescending," he said.

Labour's Lewis Nelson said that he thought it was 'shameful' that residents in Salford were being told to wear hats and gloves inside.

Councillor Kate Lewis said that it sounds like the Pendleton residents are being talked to as