Exact date over one million State Pensioners in Scotland to get winter fuel payment back – worth up to £300
Mr Swinney vowed he would not leave OAPs struggling due to 'Labour broken promises'
WINTER WARMER Exact date over one million State Pensioners in Scotland to get winter fuel payment back – worth up to £300
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OVER one million state pensioners in Scotland are to benefit from a new winter fuel payment.
The UK Government scrapped the scheme for OAPs last year unless they receive eligible benefits.
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Over one million state pensioners are to benefit from a new winter fuel payment
Credit: Alamy
The Scottish Government followed suit, meaning almost a million struggling pensioners north of the border lost out.
First Minister John Swinney confirmed to the Daily Record that a new universal payment for older Scots is to be introduced.
It will be worth up to £300.
Mr Swinney said he will not leave OAPs struggling due to "Labour broken promises".
He added: "It is so inexplicable that one of the first things Keir Starmer did when he became Prime Minister was to cut this vital lifeline for our pensioners.
'Labour scrapping the Winter Fuel Payment was a complete betrayal – up there with Thatcher's poll tax or Nick Clegg on tuition fees.
"I am not willing to see Scottish pensioners left to struggle because of Labour broken promises. So we listened to what people were telling us and we took action.
"That means older people in Scotland will receive this crucial support before we get into the worst of the winter weather – and unlike Labour, we will never abandon this vital support for our pensioners. That is my guarantee."
The new pension age winter heating payment will be dished out by November 30, St Andrew's Day, this year.
Mr Swinney says low-income households on pension credit will receive a higher payment of between £200 and £300 based on age.
Martin Lewis issues urgent warning to hundreds of thousands of pensioners missing out on 'superpower' benefit worth £3,900 a year
Other OAPs will receive £100.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last year that those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits would no longer get the annual payments of between £100 and £300.
Ms Reeves blamed the move on a higher-than-expected deficit inherited from the Tories when Labour took over after the General Election.
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