The Scottish Labour party is calling on UK government to make a U-turn in relation to its plans to axe winter fuel payments. The decision has been well received.
Yesterday Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, revealed Holyrood’s motion – which demands Westminster scraps the decision to make the winter fuel benefit means tested – passed by 99 votes to 14.
Since the decision was made public, Age Scotland have expressed their enthusiasm.
‘The vote at Holyrood, as a statement of intent, is a welcome move and shows the strength of feeling in the parliament. Hundreds of thousands of pensioners on low income or in fuel poverty face this winter with higher energy costs and less money to keep their homes warm,’ said Adam Stachura, Age Scotland’s policy director. ‘The UK government should reverse its decision to strip pensioners of their winter fuel payment and we urge the Chancellor spend the time between now and her Budget to work out how to do that.’
Adam added: ‘We also now need to look at what more Scotland can do to support low and modest income pensioners who are going to really struggle this winter and beyond. The Scottish government must identify the tools they have at their disposal this year and how next year’s budget can improve the pension age winter heating payment.’
However, not everyone shared such a positive view. Leader of the Scottish party, Anas Sarwar agreed the means tested criteria for the benefit was ‘too tight’, but he defended Keir Starmer’s decision.
SNP MSP Clare Haughey said: ‘[Yesterday] Anas Sarwar made his choice – it is more important for him to lie down for Sir Keir Starmer than stand up for vulnerable pensioners in Scotland.’
After Westminster scrapped winter fuel payments, the Scottish government said it had no choice but to follow suit in introducing means testing – meaning it will only be distributed to those receiving pension credit.
Currently, it is estimated that around 900,000 fewer pensioners in Scotland will be receiving the benefit. So whilst it’s promising that Scottish authorities are working to reverse the decision, authorities in England seem to be making no such effort.
In related news:
Opinion: The UK invented the Welfare State, now AI can help protect it
Leave a Reply