Winter fuel payment to be brought back for over one million Scots on St Andrew's Day

Daily Record

19-05-2025

EXCLUSIVE: First Minister John Swinney told the Record the new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be paid by November 30th.
Over one million pensioners will benefit from a new winter heating payment from the SNP Government by St Andrew's Day.
First Minister John Swinney also compared Labour's decision to snatch the payment from around 900,000 Scots to Mrs Thatcher 's poll tax.
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In his column for the Daily Record, the SNP leader provided an exclusive update on a universal payment worth up to £300 for some older Scots.
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He wrote: '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.
'And I wanted to let Record readers be the first to know that the SNP Government's winter fuel payment will be paid to Scotland's pensioners by November 30th - St Andrew's Day - this year.
'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.'
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It comes after Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves decided to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners across the UK. Her decision to link the cash to benefits like pension credit meant nearly one million Scots lost out.
The SNP Government said at the time the decision had complicated their own plans to use the devolved benefits system to introduce an alternative last winter.
But their new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, which will replace the Westminster scheme, will come into force within six months.
From this winter, low income households on pension credit will continue to receive a higher payment of between £200 and £300 based on age. Other pensioner households that have lost out under Reeves' cut package will receive £100.
Scottish Government estimates suggest PAWHP will go to 812,000 households and it could affect over one million pensioners.
Labour insiders admit the WFP cuts have derailed the Starmer Government and are largely responsible for the party's plummeting poll ratings and defeat in the recent Runcorn and Helsby by-election.
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Party figures told the Record the Reeves decision is coming up regularly on the doors during the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
Starmer is reportedly considering a partial u-turn after a revolt by his own MPs worried about their seats. During a recent trip to Albania, the Prime Minister did not deny he is reconsidering the policy:
'We took difficult decisions, but the right decisions, at the budget, including the decision that we took on winter fuel. We are now seeing the benefits of that in the interest rate cuts and the growth figures. They were difficult decisions but the right decisions.'
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Swinney will confirm the November 30th date today during a campaign visit to HLS, a seat the SNP are trying to retain.
He said: "This decision I've taken as First Minister means that 36,000 pensioners in South Lanarkshire will be supported with their heating bills this winter. Scotland will always be an afterthought to Labour. The SNP always has and always will put Scotland first. We're on your side."
We reported on Saturday that senior Scottish Labour figures fear they could come third in HLS behind the SNP and Reform.
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Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "While the Labour government delivers the greatest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation, makes work pay and grows the economy, all John Swinney can do is deliver a devolved benefit late.
'On John Swinney's watch our NHS has been broken, thousands have been forced into the arms of private healthcare and the number of homeless children is at a record high.
'Scots want a new direction for our country, and Scottish Labour is ready to deliver it."