Every pensioner in Scotland to receive winter fuel payment next year

The Scottish government has announced that all pensioners in Scotland will receive a winter heating payment in 2025/26.

The devolved benefit, if passed, is expected to come into force by next winter and will help the estimated 900,000 people north of the border who were cut off from accessing the winter fuel payment which used to be universal.

Under the plans, those in receipt of pension credit or other benefits will receive a £200 or £300 payment depending on their age.

All other pensioners will receive a reduced payment of £100.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced the news in a statement to the Scottish parliament on Thursday.

It comes after both the UK and Scottish governments earlier this year axed the universal winter fuel payment, except for those in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

At Westminster, Chancellor Rachel Reeves claimed the decision to scrap the universal fuel payment was made due to financial woes inherited from the previous Conservative government.

Ms Reeves said the restriction would save the Treasury around £1.4bn this financial year.

The decision led to the Scottish government – which was due to take control over a similar payment through the devolved Social Security Scotland but has since announced a delay – to follow suit.

The payment is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland, however the SNP government said Labour’s approach would cause up to a £160m cut to Scottish funding in 2024-25.

Ms Somerville also announced a further £20m for the Scottish Welfare Fund and the same amount for Warmer Homes Scotland in this financial year.

Grant funding of £1m will also be made available to registered social landlords and third sector partners to fund work to help sustain tenancies and prevent homelessness.

The social justice secretary said after her statement: “The measures I have announced today will go some way to allay the fears of pensioners in Scotland ahead of next winter, but the Scottish government recognises that more must be done.

“Ahead of next winter I will bring forward regulations to introduce universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payments in winter 2025-26 for Scottish pensioners.

“This universal benefit – providing much needed support not available anywhere else in the UK – will deliver support for all pensioner households as we had always intended to do before the UK government decision to means-test winter fuel payments cut the funding available to support our new benefit in Scotland this winter by £147m.

“We will not abandon older people this winter or any winter. We will do our best to make sure no one has to make a decision between heating and eating, and we will continue to protect pensioners.”

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