Winter gasoline funds for pensioners in Scotland will likely be a minimum of these being paid south of the border by the UK authorities, John Swinney has confirmed.
The Scottish first minister made the announcement on Monday in mild of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s partial U-turn final week.
Mr Swinney stated: “I am very happy to confirm that no pensioner in Scotland will receive less than they would under the new UK scheme.
“Particulars will likely be set out sooner or later by my authorities, however the Scottish authorities will at all times search what’s finest for Scotland’s pensioners.”
It comes after the Labour authorities backtracked on its controversial lower to the as soon as common profit.
Pensioners in England and Wales who earn below £35,000 will now obtain £200 for these aged as much as 79, and £300 for these aged over 80.
The Scottish authorities, which was compelled to delay plans for a brand new common profit following Westminster’s choice final summer time, had already partially U-turned.
Below the devolved proposal, all pensioners north of the border have been instructed they might obtain at the very least £100 in 2025/26.
These in receipt of pension credit score or different advantages have been promised both £203 or £305, relying on their age.
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Sky Information questions PM on winter gasoline fee U-turn
Whereas talking to journalists, Mr Swinney stated the change in coverage from the UK authorities would improve Holyrood’s funding by round £120m.
In a press release, the primary minister stated: “The winter fuel payment kept some of the most vulnerable in society warm in winter – it was always the right thing to do but it was also the smart thing to do.
“Sensible as a result of it stored folks out of hospital, in their very own residence. It stored them heat and nicely. After which it was gone.
“To be quite blunt about it, I don’t believe cutting this winter lifeline was ever going to save a penny because making millions of pensioners poorer makes them also colder and makes them also sicker and that in turn puts up the bill for our social services and our NHS.
“It’s an nearly textbook definition of a false financial system.”
Scottish Tory MSP Liz Smith accused the SNP of following Labour’s “shameful” lead when the common fee was scrapped final 12 months.
She added: “And, like Keir Starmer, the nationalists have been forced into a humiliating U-turn because of the huge public backlash.
“If slicing gasoline funds to pensioners was the false financial system John Swinney now claims it was, why did he copy Labour by ditching it in Scotland?
“Labour and the SNP created huge anxiety, uncertainty and financial hardship for pensioners up and down the country and that betrayal will not be forgiven or forgotten.”
