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.
He said that it sounds like the Pendleton residents are being talked to as if they're 'thick'.
"It's as if they're thick and I don't believe them to be. And I think it's quite clear that housing providers in Salford should not talk to their residents in that way," he said.
Councillor Kate Lewis said: "As a socialist I find it really quite offensive. They're talking to people like they don't understand."
The City Mayor, Paul Dennett, stood by increasing the rents in the Pendleton blocks by 4.1 per cent.
But he didn't hold back in criticising the letter sent to residents by Pendleton Together - who the council entered into a FPI contract with.
He said: "That letter that was referred to, with gloves and hats, is absolutely scandalous".
Coun Dennett said that the tips were 'not acceptable' and has pledged to speak to Pendleton Together about his concerns.
"I will act on that information as soon as I have seen a copy of that letter," he said.
What Pendleton Together has to say
A spokesperson from Pendleton Together said: "Part of Pendleton Together’s commitment to accessibility is to ensure our communications can be accessed by residents with a wide range of needs.
"This communication was sent to nearly 2,000 people and was part of a wider newsletter which included a variety of styles.
“The seasonal guidance was closely based on advice widely available from well-known charities and government agencies including the British Heart Foundation, NHS and Age UK.
"We intended this guidance to help equip residents to stay safe and appeal to the widest range of people. We understand that on this occasion we have upset some of our residents and we apologise to any resident who felt uncomfortable or patronised reading this.
“Over the past two years, Pendleton Together has made big changes to their communications to make them more accessible and that process is reviewed monthly at a meeting that includes communications management, front line staff, residents and members of the community. The tone of this newsletter will be discussed at the next meeting alongside any feedback we received and any lessons learned will be implemented.”
