Scottish Labour vows to restore winter fuel payments for pensioners
- Scottish Labour is campaigning to restore winter fuel payments for pensioners that were cut after the election.
- The party plans to submit amendments to ensure all pensioners are eligible for winter heating assistance.
- Critics argue that not supporting these changes would be a betrayal to vulnerable citizens, sparking a political clash.
In Scotland, the political landscape is heating up as Scottish Labour pushes for the reinstatement of winter fuel payments for pensioners. Following the election, many pensioners lost access to these crucial payments, and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has stated that the party aims to broaden the eligibility for these payments if they succeed in the upcoming 2026 Holyrood election. Currently, the party is trying to force a vote during the stage three discussions of the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill. They proposed amendments that would require the government to ensure all pensioners qualify for winter heating assistance while allowing for recovery of payments if household income exceeds a set threshold. Scottish Labour's actions are seen as a response to internal estimates predicting that recent policy changes could push an additional 100,000 older individuals into poverty. The Scottish National Party (SNP) has faced criticism for not supporting these changes, which could be viewed as a betrayal of vulnerable citizens, especially after failing to distribute £41 million in aid earmarked for them. The Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, labeled Scottish Labour's push as hypocritical, reminding them of their previous votes against similar measures and questioning their recent motivations amidst declining support.