Flynn: Starmer must reverse ‘harmful’ winter fuel subsidy cuts

Research by the House of Commons Library shows that more than 991,431 pensioners in Scotland received the payment in 2022-23.

133,106 pensioners received pension support or other income-related benefits, meaning 87% will lose their payment.

Pension credit is available to people who earn less than £11,343 a year.

Next week the House of Commons will hold a binding vote on the Labour government’s plan to scrap winter heating allowances for all but the poorest pensioners.

Following the decision in Westminster, the Scottish government announced that the corresponding payment north of the border would be limited to “older people receiving appropriate eligible benefits”.

SNP ministers said they had “no choice” due to the cuts in funding for Scotland.

Westminster party leader Stephen Flynn said his MPs would vote on Tuesday against the government’s legislation that would legally change the eligibility requirements for the benefit.

He said: “Keir Starmer must reverse his damaging plan to cut heating allowances for millions of pensioners across the UK. Around 860,000 Scottish pensioners would pay the price for the Labour government’s draconian cuts.”

“During the election, Labour promised voters it would end austerity and cut energy bills, but it has broken its word and done the exact opposite. Under Labour, energy bills are rising by 10% this winter and pensioners will face a £500-a-year cut in their income as Keir Starmer cuts public services.

“These cuts will hit hard-pressed pensioners hard in the pockets and will reduce Scotland’s budget by more than £100 million a year. This shows the devastating impact Westminster cuts are having on Scotland.”

“The SNP will stand up for pensioners and vote against the Labour government’s cuts. It is not right that pensioners living on just £219 a week will lose this vital support under Labour’s plan.

“I urge MPs from all parties to do the right thing and vote against these cuts.”

The Scottish office said all pensioners in the UK would continue to benefit from triple pension protection while it worked with councils to increase take-up of the pension supplement.

A UK government spokesman said: “The UK government has protected the poorest pensioners by ensuring that people on pension supplements or certain other income-related benefits continue to receive these payments.

“We are working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure that eligible pensioners continue to receive support.

“The £22 billion black hole in public finances that the UK Government inherited from the previous administration requires us to make difficult choices.”