Scottish Government demands details on 'shambolic' winter fuel U-turn
Scottish pensioners won't know the impact of the 'shambolic' winter fuel payment U-turn until the UK Government shares more details, a Scottish Government minister has said.
On Monday, UK chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the Government was planning a partial U-turn on the highly unpopular decision to cut winter fuel payments for nine million pensioners last year.
Reeves assured that pensioners in England and Wales with an income of or below £35,000 per year will benefit from the revised winter fuel payment.
The changes don't apply to Scotland, however the decision will impact the amount of money that comes to Scotland for similar, devolved benefits.
Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville told STV News on Tuesday that the details of those impacts are still not yet known.
'We're still waiting to get the details,' Somerville said.
'It's clear from the secretary of state for Scotland that he doesn't know either. Once we get information from the UK Government, we'll be able to further determine the impact of what we can do up here.'
She added: 'Until we get that, the U-turn is welcome but the way this policy has been developed is absolutely shambolic.'
Following the winter fuel payment cuts at Westminster last year, the SNP Government vowed to step in and bring back a universal winter fuel payment for pensioners by this winter.
Reeves' announcement on Monday could mean the Scottish Government can pass on a higher benefit to pensioners.
It's something Somerville has promised to look at, but she reassured pensioners that no matter what the Scottish Government has plans in place for a universal payments of £200 or £300 for those on pension credits this winter.
However, Somerville said it is 'very difficult' for the Scottish Government to plan when they haven't been told the details of the UK Labour Government's U-turn – or where the money behind it is coming from.
'We need to find out how much money is coming and we need to do that quickly because it's very, very important that systems have to be built, processes have to be put in place, and regulations have to be passed.
'That's why the way the Government has done this in such a shambolic manner at Westminster has made it exceptionally difficult for the Scottish Government to react quickly.
'I want to give pensioners reassurance that we will protect them and have universal payments in time for this winter. And if there's anything more we can do, we'll look at that – if only the UK Government would give me the information to allow me to do that.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
33 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Kendall to add protections to welfare Bill amid backlash to cuts
The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the Government hopes they can save £5 billion a year by the end of the decade. The proposals include tightening of the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability benefit in England, and cutting the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC). Dozens of Labour MPs last month urged the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals are 'impossible to support'. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told the Guardian there will be extra protections added to the Bill when it is published next week. She said: 'When we set out our reforms we promised to protect those most in need, particularly those who can never work. 'I know from my 15 years as a constituency MP how important this is. It is something I take seriously and will never compromise on. 'That is why we are putting additional protections on the face of the Bill to support the most vulnerable and help people affected by the changes. 'These protections will be written into law, a clear sign they are non-negotiable.' A Government impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, across England, Scotland and Wales, could fall into relative poverty after housing costs as a result of the changes.
Leader Live
33 minutes ago
- Leader Live
UK ministers confident post-Brexit trade friction will be eased by deal
The movement of trade was one of the main discussions at the first meeting of the East-West Council to take place in Northern Ireland on Thursday, which was also attended by members of Intertrade UK. Earlier this month the UK Government said border checks on fruit and vegetables imported from the EU will be scrapped, to ease trade, ahead of its new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU. Secretary of State Hilary Benn, Northern Ireland Office minister Fleur Anderson and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden held discussions with First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly at the Custom House in Belfast on Thursday. Speaking after the meeting, Mr McFadden said the main topics were ensuring smooth trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the new Connect Fund to support community groups. He said he believed the recent agreement between the UK and EU will 'go a long way' to reducing friction and restoring the free flow of trade. Mr Benn also expressed confidence the flow of trade will be smoothed. 'It comes after a very busy period with the negotiation of the new relationship with the European Union, and one of the issues we discussed was the beneficial impact an SPS deal will have on the flow of the agrifood and plant products from GB to Northern Ireland,' he said. He added: 'The new Government was elected in July, we came in and said we want to build a closer, better relationship with the EU and you saw the result of that in the agreement that was reached at the summit a few weeks ago. 'And for Northern Ireland the single most important part of that agreement was to work together to get an SPS agreement in place because that would deal with a lot of the things that people are having to cope with at the moment in respect of agri food products and plants moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. 'I hope that will give businesses real hope for the future, and we want to get on and put that new SPS scheme in place as quickly as possible.' Meanwhile Ms Anderson announced the Connect Fund, which will provide awards from a funding pot of up to £1 million to support groups working in sectors which directly affect Northern Ireland communities. It will be open to groups seeking to strengthening east-west connections, with bids are invited for between £300 and £50,000. Ms Anderson said it will 'support better connections between community groups and individuals of all ages between Northern Ireland and Great Britain'.'I ran a community centre before I was an MP and so I know the value that this funding will bring,' she said. 'I urge local community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland to apply to take part in this great opportunity, and look forward to the positive changes which this fund will bring to communities in the coming years.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Kendall to add protections to welfare Bill amid backlash to cuts
The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the Government hopes they can save £5 billion a year by the end of the decade. The proposals include tightening of the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability benefit in England, and cutting the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC). Dozens of Labour MPs last month urged the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals are 'impossible to support'. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told the Guardian there will be extra protections added to the Bill when it is published next week. She said: 'When we set out our reforms we promised to protect those most in need, particularly those who can never work. 'I know from my 15 years as a constituency MP how important this is. It is something I take seriously and will never compromise on. 'That is why we are putting additional protections on the face of the Bill to support the most vulnerable and help people affected by the changes. 'These protections will be written into law, a clear sign they are non-negotiable.' A Government impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, across England, Scotland and Wales, could fall into relative poverty after housing costs as a result of the changes.
