Scammers have targeted pensioners who are set to receive free air fryers as part of a council giveaway of 6,000 appliances in the wake of Labour’s rollback on winter fuel.

North Lincolnshire Council has handed out more than 1,000 air fryers already with another 5,000 due to be delivered in the coming weeks.

The Tory-run council is also planning to give out more than 1,300 slow cookers and 400 one cup kettles as part of an energy efficient cooking appliances scheme.

The scheme was brought in by the local authority after a huge number of pensioners in the area were hit by Labour’s decision to scrap winter fuel allowance last year.

However pensioners have been hit again by scammers taking advantage of the scheme and sending false text messages trying to steal money.

The scam asks recipients to click on a link to confirm their address for air fryer delivery and to pay £1.

A spokesperson for North Lincolnshire Council said: ‘This [text message] has not been sent by North Lincolnshire Council. 

‘If you receive a text message of this nature, it is a scam. Do not provide any details or click any links within the message.’

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: ‘Many pensioners are struggling to pay their energy bills and relied on the winter fuel payment at this time of the year 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.

‘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. 

‘We also hope that we can encourage some healthier eating too, that’s why we will be providing over sessions to over 700 older residents who want to know how to use their air fryer efficiently and to learn some new recipes.

‘We have delivered over 1000 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.’

Frank Cooper of Kelsey Ave, Scunthorpe, who has received a free air fryer, said: ‘Since we got it, we’ve not used the gas oven at all.

‘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.’

Pensioners on the lowest income have already received £200 from the council. 

They are also putting on cooking lessons to help people learn how the appliances can be used.   

Earlier this month, Wes Streeting was slammed after telling pensioners to ‘wrap up and keep warm’ amid a row over the Government stripping millions of the winter fuel payment. 

The Health Secretary used a TV interview to say this is ‘definitely a weekend to turn the heating on’ with freezing weather forecast across a large chunk of Britain. 

Age UK said 2.5 million people need the winter fuel allowance but will not receive it after the Government made changes to who is eligible.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last July that the winter fuel payment would be mainly limited to those receiving pension credit.

Mr Streeting told BBC Breakfast: ‘We are heading into a cold snap this weekend and I know there are lots of concerns, not just amongst charity leaders, but also among NHS and social care leaders as well, about the particular risks and vulnerabilities this weekend as temperatures drop, both in terms of risk of accident and injury, but also risk from the cold itself.

‘This is a weekend to wrap up and keep warm, to take sensible precautions about going out and about.’