Scottish Labour Promises to Reinstate Universal Winter Fuel Payments if Elected

[Social Media]

 

Scottish Labour has vowed to reintroduce the universal winter fuel payment for pensioners if it takes control of Holyrood in the 2026 election. This pledge positions the party against its UK-wide leadership, which recently announced the benefit would be means-tested as part of a broader financial strategy.  

 

Following Labour’s victory in the UK general election, Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed that the winter fuel payment, previously available to all pensioners, would now only be provided to those receiving specific benefits. This decision reduced eligibility from 7.6 million households to approximately 1.3 million, aiming to address a £22 billion deficit in public finances they attribute to the previous Conservative government.  

 

Initially, Scotland, where benefits are devolved, planned to replace the payment with an equivalent scheme. However, after the UK-wide Labour government’s policy shift, the SNP-led Scottish government announced its intention to means-test the new program as well.  

 

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar criticized this approach and pledged to reverse it if his party comes to power. Sarwar promised to reinstate universal winter fuel payments for pensioners in Scotland, while indicating a future transition toward a tapered system that ensures wealthier recipients no longer receive taxpayer-funded subsidies.  

 

Sarwar stated, "A Scottish Labour government will reinstate the winter fuel payment for pensioners in Scotland. The winter fuel payment was supposed to be a devolved benefit this year, and there were additional resources available to the Scottish government through the household support fund."  

 

He continued, "That meant we could have taken a different approach in Scotland to support more households this year – instead, the SNP decided to hand the power back to the DWP."

 

Sarwar also highlighted his party’s criticism of the current eligibility threshold tied to pension credit, calling for a “Scottish solution” to address the issue. "For months I have said that the eligibility criterion of pension credit is too low and called for a Scottish solution to this issue," he said.  

 

Scottish Labour’s plan involves reclaiming the devolved power over winter fuel payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and implementing a system that ensures support reaches those who need it most.  

 

Sarwar added, "A UK Labour government is clearing up the mess left by a chaotic Tory government – here in Scotland, people are demanding a new direction, and in 2026 we have the opportunity to deliver it with a Scottish Labour government."  

 

As the debate over winter fuel payments unfolds, it underscores broader tensions between Scottish Labour and the national Labour leadership, as well as the complexities of devolved governance in addressing social welfare challenges.

 

Based on a report by Sky News 2024-11-21

 

 

 

[RichardColeman]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Sarwar added, "A UK Labour government is clearing up the mess left by a chaotic Tory government – here in Scotland, people are demanding a new direction, and in 2026 we have the opportunity to deliver it with a Scottish Labour government."  

Hmmm, but is he not suggesting Scottish Labour cleaning up chaotic national Labour government mess of attacking pensioners ? Hypocrite !

[newbee2022]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Scottish Labour has vowed to reintroduce the universal winter fuel payment for pensioners if it takes control of Holyrood in the 2026 election. This pledge positions the party against its UK-wide leadership, which recently announced the benefit would be means-tested as part of a broader financial strategy.  

 

Following Labour’s victory in the UK general election, Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed that the winter fuel payment, previously available to all pensioners, would now only be provided to those receiving specific benefits. This decision reduced eligibility from 7.6 million households to approximately 1.3 million, aiming to address a £22 billion deficit in public finances they attribute to the previous Conservative government.  

 

Initially, Scotland, where benefits are devolved, planned to replace the payment with an equivalent scheme. However, after the UK-wide Labour government’s policy shift, the SNP-led Scottish government announced its intention to means-test the new program as well.  

 

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar criticized this approach and pledged to reverse it if his party comes to power. Sarwar promised to reinstate universal winter fuel payments for pensioners in Scotland, while indicating a future transition toward a tapered system that ensures wealthier recipients no longer receive taxpayer-funded subsidies.  

 

 

Sarwar stated, "A Scottish Labour government will reinstate the winter fuel payment for pensioners in Scotland. The winter fuel payment was supposed to be a devolved benefit this year, and there were additional resources available to the Scottish government through the household support fund."  

 

He continued, "That meant we could have taken a different approach in Scotland to support more households this year – instead, the SNP decided to hand the power back to the DWP."

 

Sarwar also highlighted his party’s criticism of the current eligibility threshold tied to pension credit, calling for a “Scottish solution” to address the issue. "For months I have said that the eligibility criterion of pension credit is too low and called for a Scottish solution to this issue," he said.  

 

Scottish Labour’s plan involves reclaiming the devolved power over winter fuel payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and implementing a system that ensures support reaches those who need it most.  

 

Sarwar added, "A UK Labour government is clearing up the mess left by a chaotic Tory government – here in Scotland, people are demanding a new direction, and in 2026 we have the opportunity to deliver it with a Scottish Labour government."  

 

As the debate over winter fuel payments unfolds, it underscores broader tensions between Scottish Labour and the national Labour leadership, as well as the complexities of devolved governance in addressing social welfare challenges.

 

Based on a report by Sky News 2024-11-21

 

 

 

The winter fuel payments are connected to the income. That's good👍. Why to give money to wealthy pensioners ????

[PETERTHEEATER]

And the money for this would come from SNP coffers or.....England?

[youreavinalaff]

9 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

And the money for this would come from SNP coffers or.....England?

It's intended to be a devolved benefit.