Latest news with #FloFanning
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Coatbridge couple lose court case to restore Winter Fuel Payment
Pensioners Peter and Flo Fanning, from Coatbridge, took their case to the Court of Session in Edinburgh, claiming that both sets of decision-makers failed to consult pensioners and did not release an equality impact assessment on the changes. The Court of Session ruled to refuse the petition on Friday morning. Peter and Flo lost their entitlement to the financial assistance and became worried about their ability to afford their heating costs. READ MORE: Plans approved to turn Robert Burns-linked estate into whisky distillery Peter, 73, receives a state and a work pension, while Flo, 72, receives just a state pension. They do not meet the criteria to qualify for pension credits and decided to take action in a bid to have the benefit restored for all who previously received it. Peter said he was going to court to "give a voice" to other pensioners. The couple both suffer from medical conditions that are made worse by the cold. During the winter, they say they have to use their household heating daily to combat symptoms. Peter and Flo Fanning (Image: PA) They also claimed the decision to end the £300 benefit for thousands of people across the country last year was "irrational" and breached their human rights. Lady Hood found that neither of the governments had failed to exercise their duties under the Equality Act 2010 and neither was under a duty to consult. In her judgment, she stated: 'This case is not a verdict, nor even an expression of opinion, on the merits or demerits of government policy as debated in the public arena. 'The purpose of the case was to test a much "narrower question", namely whether the policy decisions made by the governments were unlawful, and if so liable to be struck down by the courts. READ MORE: Reform UK claim to have 11,000 Scottish members in challenge to Labour 'I shall therefore repel the petitioners' first to eighth pleas-in-law and refuse the petition. The question of the appropriate remedies, had I found in the petitioners' favour therefore does not arise.' Late Alba Party leader Alex Salmond was instrumental in putting the Fannings in touch with the Govan Law Centre ahead of the action being raised. A spokesperson from Govan Law Centre, who represented the couple, said they still felt the action had been merited and worthwhile. They added: "While our clients have lost their case at first instance, we have no doubt that this litigation has been influential in securing the partial U-turn made by the Scottish Government last November and the major policy U-turn confirmed by the UK Government earlier this week. "We hope that Holyrood will now follow suit and restore the Winter Fuel Payment in full for people such as our clients." Westminster abandoned plans to withdraw the payments from all but the poorest pensioners after the scheme drew widespread criticism. The Scottish Government had already launched its own Winter Fuel Payment in response to the original cut, which included extra support for those less well-off, but also a universal payment which is unaffected by income.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Peter and Flo Fanning hoped to restore winter fuel payments
Pensioners Peter and Flo Fanning took their case to the Court of Session in Edinburgh, claiming that both sets of decision-makers failed to consult pensioners and did not release an equality impact assessment on the changes. The Court of Session ruled to refuse the petition on Friday morning. Peter and Flo lost their entitlement to the financial assistance and became worried about their ability to afford their heating costs. Peter, 73, receives a state and a work pension, while Flo, 72, receives just a state pension. They do not meet the criteria to qualify for pension credits and decided to take action in a bid to have the benefit restored for all who previously received it. Peter said he was going to court to "give a voice" to other pensioners. The couple both suffer from medical conditions that are made worse by the cold. During the winter, they say they have to use their household heating daily to combat symptoms. Peter and Flo Fanning (Image: PA) They also claimed the decision to end the £300 benefit for thousands of people across the country last year was "irrational" and breached their human rights. READ NEXT: Two Coatbridge pensioners 'intend to sue' Scottish Government Lady Hood found that neither of the governments had failed to exercise their duties under the Equality Act 2010 and neither was under a duty to consult. In her judgment, she stated: 'This case is not a verdict, nor even an expression of opinion, on the merits or demerits of government policy as debated in the public arena. 'The purpose of the case was to test a much "narrower question", namely whether the policy decisions made by the governments were unlawful, and if so liable to be struck down by the courts. 'I shall therefore repel the petitioners' first to eighth pleas-in-law and refuse the petition. The question of the appropriate remedies, had I found in the petitioners' favour therefore does not arise.' Late Alba Party leader Alex Salmond was instrumental in putting the Fannings in touch with the Govan Law Centre ahead of the action being raised. A spokesperson from Govan Law Centre, who represented the couple, said they still felt the action had been merited and worthwhile. They added: "While our clients have lost their case at first instance, we have no doubt that this litigation has been influential in securing the partial U-turn made by the Scottish Government last November and the major policy U-turn confirmed by the UK Government earlier this week. "We hope that Holyrood will now follow suit and restore the winter fuel payment in full for people such as our clients." Westminster abandoned plans to withdraw the payments from all but the poorest pensioners after the scheme drew widespread criticism. The Scottish Government had already launched its own winter fuel benefit in response to the original cut, which included extra support for those less well-off, but also a universal payment which is unaffected by income.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Couple lose legal challenge of winter fuel payment cuts
A couple have lost a bid to sue the UK and Scottish governments over the decision to cut winter fuel payments. Pensioners Peter and Flo Fanning, from Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire, took their case to the Court of Session in Edinburgh in March, alleging that both governments failed to adequately consult with those of pension age and did not release an equality impact assessment on the changes. The Court of Session ruled to refuse the petition on Friday. The couple's lawyers have said they have no doubt the Fanning's litigation had been influential in securing U-turns by both governments. Couple's bid to sue governments over winter fuel payment A big difference or missing out again? Reactions to winter fuel payment U-turn Better-off pensioners able to opt-out of Scottish fuel payment A spokesperson from the Govan Law Centre told BBC Scotland News: "While our clients have lost their case at first instance, we have no doubt that this litigation has been influential in securing the partial U-turn made by the Scottish government last November and the major policy U-turn confirmed by the UK government earlier this week. "We hope that the Scottish government will now follow suit and restore the winter fuel payment in full for people such as our clients." Earlier this week, the UK government abandoned plans to withdraw the payments from all but the poorest pensioners after the scheme drew widespread criticism. The Scottish government had already launched its own winter fuel benefit in response to the original cuts which included extra support for those less well-off, but also a universal payment which is unaffected by income. The Govan Law Centre added the legal challenge "was always one of process" and the fact the UK government has already reconsidered the cuts "vindicates" their clients. It said that an appeal would have "reasonable prospects of success" but added it is unlikely that legal aid would be provided for this. About 10 million pensioners in England and Wales lost their allowance under new measures announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves in July last year. Those on pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits retained the annual payments, worth between £100 and £300. In Scotland, the payment was devolved to Holyrood in April 2024, but the Scottish government followed the actions of their counterparts in Westminster in terminating it in August 2024, arguing £160m had been taken from its budget. A new alternative, called the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP), was due to be introduced the following month, but that has since been pushed back to winter 2025. It will also be means-tested, despite ministers claiming it would not be. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville recently said the universal approach of the devolved Scottish scheme was important - but that wealthier pensioners would be made aware that they could opt out. The current plan is for all pensioner households to receive at least £100 regardless of income, while those on pension credit will receive up to £305 depending on age. Meanwhile, the devolved government in Northern Ireland also followed suit, but affected pensioners were given a one-off £100 payment from Stormont in November.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Scottish couple lose legal challenge of winter fuel payment cuts
A couple have lost a bid to sue the UK and Scottish governments over the decision to cut winter fuel Peter and Flo Fanning, from Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire, took their case to the Court of Session in Edinburgh in March, alleging that both governments failed to adequately consult with those of pension age and did not release an equality impact assessment on the Court of Session ruled to refuse the petition on couple's lawyers have said they have no doubt the Fanning's litigation had been influential in securing U-turns by both governments. A spokesperson from the Govan Law Centre told BBC Scotland News: "While our clients have lost their case at first instance, we have no doubt that this litigation has been influential in securing the partial U-turn made by the Scottish government last November and the major policy U-turn confirmed by the UK government earlier this week."We hope that the Scottish government will now follow suit and restore the winter fuel payment in full for people such as our clients."Earlier this week, the UK government abandoned plans to withdraw the payments from all but the poorest pensioners after the scheme drew widespread Scottish government had already launched its own winter fuel benefit in response to the original cuts which included extra support for those less well-off, but also a universal payment which is unaffected by Govan Law Centre added the legal challenge "was always one of process" and the fact the UK government has already reconsidered the cuts "vindicates" their said that an appeal would have "reasonable prospects of success" but added it is unlikely that legal aid would be provided for this. What's happening with winter fuel payments? About 10 million pensioners in England and Wales lost their allowance under new measures announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves in July last on pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits retained the annual payments, worth between £100 and £ Scotland, the payment was devolved to Holyrood in April 2024, but the Scottish government followed the actions of their counterparts in Westminster in terminating it in August 2024, arguing £160m had been taken from its budget.A new alternative, called the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP), was due to be introduced the following month, but that has since been pushed back to winter will also be means-tested, despite ministers claiming it would not Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville recently said the universal approach of the devolved Scottish scheme was important - but that wealthier pensioners would be made aware that they could opt current plan is for all pensioner households to receive at least £100 regardless of income, while those on pension credit will receive up to £305 depending on the devolved government in Northern Ireland also followed suit, but affected pensioners were given a one-off £100 payment from Stormont in November.
