The Scottish government says it will no longer offer its new winter fuel payment for pensioners on a universal basis. It said it would seek to recover funds via the tax system from pensioners earning more than £35,000 - matching a move by the UK government. Scottish ministers had set out plans for a payment slightly more generous than that on offer from the UK, by £3 to £5 per household. However, they faced criticism aspayments would go to all pensioners- potentially including millionaires - rather than being targeted at those most in need. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said that "following careful consideration of the options available" talks were taking placeto match the UK system. She said: "We will bring forward regulations to ensure that, from this winter onwards, all pensioners will receive either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age. "We are in discussion with the UK government to extend the proposed arrangements in England and Wales to recover payments from those pensioners with an individual income of more than £35,000 through the tax system." Somerville said those receiving the payment in Scotland would be better off than their counterparts in the rest of the UK. Around 720,000 people are expected to be eligible for the funding. UK chancellor Rachel Reeves last week confirmed the payment would be reinstated to the majority of pensioners in England, following months of anger and protest over changes implemented last year. Somerville said this was a "welcome, if belated" move following a "betrayal of millions of pensioners" in 2024. The Scottish government had delayed plans for its pension age winter heating payment after the Westminster cut was announced. But in November it announced pensioners would receive at least £100 every year. Somerville had said earlier this month that it was "important to have a universal system" for the payment. The Scottish Conservatives said the decision to not make the payment universal was a "slap in the face" to pensioners. Social security spokeswoman Liz Smith said: "This constant chopping and changing by SNP ministers is causing more needless anxiety for Scottish pensioners. "This latest announcement means that hundreds of thousands of Scots will not have the payment even partially restored – despite John Swinney's promise that they would. "This latest slap in the face will not be forgotten or forgiven by the pensioners affected."
Scotland to recover winter fuel payment from better-off pensioners
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Scotland Alters Winter Fuel Payment Policy for Higher-Income Pensioners"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The Scottish government has announced a significant change to its winter fuel payment policy for pensioners, moving away from a universal payment system. The new approach will see the government recover funds from pensioners with individual incomes exceeding £35,000 through the tax system, aligning with a similar decision made by the UK government. Previously, the Scottish ministers had proposed a slightly more generous payment than that of the UK, offering between £203.40 and £305.10 per household based on age. However, the universal nature of the payment faced criticism for potentially benefiting wealthier pensioners, including millionaires, rather than focusing on those most in need. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville emphasized that this decision followed careful consideration and discussions aimed at matching the UK's system. She expressed confidence that the payments in Scotland would be more beneficial than those available to pensioners elsewhere in the UK, with an estimated 720,000 individuals expected to qualify for the funding.
The announcement has sparked a mixed response, particularly from opposition parties. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently reinstated the winter fuel payment for most pensioners in England, following widespread discontent over previous cuts. Somerville welcomed this decision but criticized the UK government for what she described as a betrayal of pensioners. Meanwhile, the Scottish Conservatives have condemned the move away from a universal payment, labeling it a "slap in the face" to pensioners. Social security spokeswoman Liz Smith highlighted the ongoing uncertainty and anxiety caused by the Scottish National Party's (SNP) changing policies, arguing that the latest announcement means many Scots will not receive any financial support, despite earlier assurances from government officials. This situation underscores the complexities surrounding social security provisions for pensioners and the political tensions that accompany such policy changes.
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