Concerns winter fuel payment cuts could ‘plunge pensioners into poverty’

Scotland’s social justice secretary said that the Scottish Government was “committed to tackling fuel poverty” and had taken a range of actions to support households.

Councillor Redman said: “From this autumn, those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer receive the annual payments, worth between £100 and £300.

“This move will undoubtedly plunge many pensioners into fuel poverty, forcing them to choose between heating their homes and other essentials.

“It is a callous decision that disregards the welfare of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“Given Scotland’s much colder climate and higher transmission costs due to rurality, it is imperative that the Scottish Government takes immediate and decisive action to protect our elderly residents.

“This is an example of where devolution can be a positive thing because there are genuinely different needs in Scotland, and not the fabricated distinctions the SNP often peddle.”

Councillor Redman added: “They have had ample time to prepare and implement their own version of the winter fuel payment scheme. The failure to do so highlights a troubling disregard for the well-being of our pensioners.

“It is not enough to simply express disappointment; the Scottish Government must demonstrate leadership and commitment by ensuring that our elderly population does not suffer due to these ill-conceived UK-wide policies.”

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Chancellor’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payment is disappointing and was made without consultation or discussion with the Scottish Government, which contrasts with the UK Government’s commitment to have a better working relationship.

“We are urgently considering the financial impact of the UK Government’s cut to Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales, and what this means for our replacement, Pension Age Winter Heating Payments, in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government is committed to tackling fuel poverty and has consistently supported vulnerable households through a range of actions.”

Helensburgh Central councillor Fiona Howard (Labour) said: “The Labour government inherited a financial black hole of £22 billion from the Conservative Party. As a result, the Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) has been forced to take tough decisions that she neither wanted to make nor expected to make.

“The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) is a new devolved benefit coming to Scotland and we have an opportunity to ensure this benefit is delivered to those who need it the most.

“It cannot be right that the most well-off in our society receive a payment each winter that they don’t need when people are struggling to make ends meet and our public finances are in a mess.

“As the leader of Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar, has already stated we are willing to work with the Scottish Government to identify a fair criteria for the new benefit that takes into account concerns from older people’s charities and experts like Martin Lewis around using pension credit as an eligibility marker.

“The Labour Party is focused on getting on with fixing the mess left by the Tory government that completely destroyed the public finances, and hid the truth from the public.

“We must fix the foundations so we can deliver the change we need for the country.”