Starmer must U-turn on ‘damaging’ winter fuel payment cut – Flynn

The SNP said more than 850,000 Scottish pensioners will ‘pay the price for the Labour Government’s draconian cuts’.

The winter fuel payment will now only be made to the poorest pensioners (PA) (PA Wire)

More than 850,000 pensioners will lose out as a result of the change in eligibility for the winter fuel payment, the SNP has said as it called on the Prime Minister to U-turn on the “damaging plan”.

Research from the House of Commons Library shows more than 991,431 pensioners in Scotland received the payment in 2022-23.

There were 133,106 pensioners receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits, meaning 87% will lose the payment.

Those eligible for pension credit must earn less than £11,343 a year.

There will be a binding vote in the Commons next week on the Labour Government’s plan to axe the winter fuel payment for all but the poorest pensioners.

Following the decision at Westminster, the Scottish Government said the equivalent payment north of the border will be restricted to “older people who receive relevant eligible benefits”.

SNP ministers said they had “no choice” due to the reduction in funding coming to Scotland.

The party’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said his MPs will vote against the Government statutory instrument – which will legally change eligibility for the benefit – on Tuesday.

He said: “Keir Starmer must U-turn on his damaging plan to end the winter fuel payment for millions of pensioners across the UK, which will see around 860,000 Scottish pensioners pay the price for the Labour Government’s draconian cuts.

“During the election, the Labour Party promised voters they would end austerity cuts and lower energy bills, but they have broken their word and done the complete opposite. Under the Labour Party, energy bills are increasing by 10% this winter and pensioners will see their incomes slashed by £500 a year as Keir Starmer takes the axe to public services.

“These cuts will hit hard-pressed pensioners in the pocket and gut Scotland’s budget by more than £100 million a year, showing the devastating impact Westminster cuts have on Scotland.

“The SNP will stand up for pensioners and vote against the Labour Government’s cuts. It’s not right that pensioners living on as little as £219 a week will lose this vital support under the Labour Party’s plan.

“I urge MPs across parties to do the right thing and vote against these cuts.”

The Scotland Office said that all pensioners in the UK will continue to benefit from the pensions triple lock, while they are working with councils to boost uptake of pension credit.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “The UK Government has protected the poorest pensioners by ensuring people on pension credit or certain other income-related benefits will continue to receive the payment.

“We are working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure eligible pensioners continue to receive support.

“The £22 billion black hole in the public finances the UK Government inherited from the previous administration has required us to take difficult decisions.”