Every pensioner in Scotland to receive winter fuel payment next year

The Scottish government has announced that all pensioners in Scotland will receive a winter fuel payment in 2025/26.

The devolved benefit, if passed, is expected to come into force by next winter and will help the estimated 900,000 people north of the border who were cut off from accessing the winter fuel payment which used to be universal.

Under the plans, those in receipt of pension credit or other benefits will receive a £200 or £300 payment, depending on their age.

All other pensioners will receive a reduced payment of £100.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced the news in a statement to the Scottish parliament on Thursday.

It comes after both the UK and Scottish governments earlier this year axed the universal winter fuel payment, except for those in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

The MSP said she would bring forward regulations to introduce the universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, adding: "This Scottish government is determined to stay true to our values.

"On our watch, we will treat people in this country with fairness, dignity and respect.

"We will not abandon older people this winter, or indeed any winter, and we will continue to protect our pensioners from the harsh reality of a UK Labour government."

At Westminster, Chancellor Rachel Reeves claimed the decision to scrap the universal fuel payment was made due to financial woes inherited from the previous Conservative government.

Ms Reeves said the restriction would save the Treasury around £1.4bn this financial year.

The decision led to the Scottish government - which was due to take control over a similar payment through the devolved Social Security Scotland but has since announced a delay - to follow suit.

The payment is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland, however the SNP government said Labour's approach would cause up to a £160m cut to Scottish funding in 2024-25.

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Ms Somerville also announced a further £20m for the Scottish Welfare Fund and the same amount for Warmer Homes Scotland in this financial year.

Grant funding of £1m will also be made available to registered social landlords and third sector partners to fund work to help sustain tenancies and prevent homelessness.

The social justice secretary - who had to apologise to Holyrood's presiding officer after details of her announcement leaked to the press ahead of her statement, said after: "We will do our best to make sure no one has to make a decision between heating and eating, and we will continue to protect pensioners."

Both Advice Direct Scotland and End Fuel Poverty Coalition welcomed the news, but said pensioners across the country are in need of support this year.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: "Thousands of people are still facing the terrible reality of another winter where they must choose between putting the heating on and having a hot meal."

The Scottish Conservatives branded the announcement "shameless spin from the SNP".

MSP Liz Smith, shadow cabinet secretary for social security, said: "Despite trying to talk this decision up to pensioners, the reality is that this will be a cut for many of them and help still won't be coming this winter.

"SNP ministers are trying to hoodwink people into believing they are on their side when they haven't delivered the support they need.

"They would like them to forget that they were prepared to shamefully follow Labour's lead, and shouldn't be acting like they have delivered an early Christmas present for pensioners."

(c) Sky News 2024: Every pensioner in Scotland to receive winter fuel payment next year