Keir Starmer was under fresh pressure over cuts to pensioners’ winter fuel payments on Thursday as Scotland reinstated support.
The Scottish government announced every OAP north of the border would receive a winter heating payment worth at least £100 in 2025. The PM has been under intense pressure since the UK government axed the universal winter fuel payment – worth up to £300 – for millions of pensioners.
Support is instead being means-tested with only the very poorest OAPs on pension credit still eligible. But as temperatures plummet, Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced every pensioner north of the border will receive a payment next year.
Under the plans, those in receipt of pension credit, and who have received a £200 or £300 payment this year will get the same next year through the devolved scheme. But those who have missed out this year due to the UK government’s changes will get £100.
The Scottish minister said she had been forced to “mitigate” decisions made by the UK Government, adding: “There has been change, but that change is that we are now mitigating against a Labour Government and not a Tory one. 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.”
The Independent Age charity welcomed the move. Chief executive Joanna Elson said: “The Scottish Government has listened to the voices of those in later life struggling financially in Scotland and taken action. Now, the UK Government must do the same and make sure older people in poverty continue to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.”
It emerged earlier on Thursday that hundreds of thousands of the poorest pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales could still be missing out on winter fuel payments this year. In the summer the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimated that 880,000 OAPs were eligible for pension credit – making them eligible for a winter fuel payment.
But only 42,500 claims for pension credit have been approved since the winter fuel payment announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, official figures showed.