Labour calls for increased winter fuel payment to help those struggling with energy bills

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will today call for an immediate £70 supplement to the Winter Fuel Payment to help vulnerable older people.

Speaking at Labour’s annual conference, Sarwar will demand the SNP "take responsibility" for what his party called a "looming crisis". 

At the weekend, it was reported that a woman in her 90s had starved to death as health and social care services struggle due to the demands of the pandemic.

It was the first fatality from lack of food recorded in Scotland for at least 20 years.

In his speech in Brighton later today, Sarwar is expected to say: “This winter too many Scots are facing fuel poverty as energy prices spiral out of control.

“In Scotland, 150,000 pensioners live in relative poverty every year – with thousands more on the brink.

“The Scottish Parliament has the power to make winter payments reflect the pressures on fuel poor households, but the SNP have delayed taking responsibility.

“That is why we would give every pensioner on the lowest incomes £70 now to help them through the winter months.

“Where the SNP obsess over mandates and white papers, the powers of the Scottish Parliament could be used to end the choice between heating and eating this winter.”

The energy price cap will increase by £139 from £1,138 to £1277 on October 1.

Labour say that for the 150,000 Scottish pensioners living in poverty, the change could force them “deeper into desperation.”