SNP force vote on Westminster winter fuel payment reversal

The SNP have forced a vote to demand the UK Government reverse its decision to means-test the winter fuel payment for pensioners.   

The debate, which will take place in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, will be led by First Minister John Swinney.  

Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has called on MSPs across the chamber to “unite” and “demand that the UK Government reverse this callous decision”.  

She has also urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to scrap means-testing when she delivers her budget at the end of the month.   

Labour has maintained the cut is necessary if it is to plug the £22bn black hole in public finances.  

Scotland has powers to mitigate the against means-testing, but it has said it does not have the £160m it will cost to do so.   

In August, Age Scotland suggested at least 250,000 Scottish pensioners on the lowest incomes or living in fuel poverty would no longer receive the “vital” payment, which ranges from £100-£300 annually. It added hundreds of thousands more on modest incomes would struggle more to pay energy bills.  

The Scottish Government has said, based on its analysis, it will only support up to 130,000 people in receipt of pension credit and other means-tested benefits in 2024/25– a decrease of 900,000 people.   

Speaking ahead of the debate, Somerville said: “Labour’s abrupt decision to bring in means-testing for the winter fuel payment has robbed millions of pensioners of hundreds of pounds at the very time that energy bills are set to rise by an average of £150 a year.  

“Today in parliament, as we mark Challenge Poverty Week, I call on MSPs from across the chamber to unite and demand that the UK Government reverse this callous decision and restore the winter fuel payment to all our pensioners. As we head towards what will be another difficult winter for many pensioners, this is less of a party-political issue and more a national priority.  

“Over in Ireland, they are talking about extending their winter fuel payment for pensioners – but here in the UK, older people are being forced to pay the price for Westminster’s economic incompetence.  

“Labour has made many errors in their first months in office, but they seem far more interested in scapegoating their advisers rather than trying to right the mistakes that Ministers have made. When the Chancellor stands up in three weeks’ time, she must confirm that the Labour government will ditch these means-testing plans and restore to pensioners what is rightfully theirs.”