Keir Starmer outside (Image: Getty)
Campaigners have demanded Sir Keir Starmer follow Scotland's lead by giving a winter heating payment to all pensioners.
The devolved benefit is expected to come into force by next winter and will help the estimated 900,000 people north of the border who were cut off from accessing the winter fuel payment which used to be universal.
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State pensioners born in these years find ￡300 in accounts from DWP
9 Comments
How to check your postcode for Cold Weather Payments as Storm Bert could bring ￡25
5 Comments
Warning to state pensioners as they lose ￡770 from January
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State pensioners ￡300 worse off from today as DWP issues warning
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UK households handed vouchers worth up to ￡200 from DWP
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Millions told 'check now' for ￡150 DWP payment
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Winter fuel payment nightmare as millions of pensioners are dealt fresh energy bill blow
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The payment is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland but the SNP government said Labour's approach would cause up to a ￡160million cut to Scottish funding in 2024-25.
Joanna Elson, chief executive of Independent Age said: “Today we welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to pay the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to all older people in Scotland next year.
"The Scottish Government has listened to the voices of those in later life struggling financially in Scotland and taken action. Now, the UK Government must do the same and make sure older people in poverty continue to receive the Winter Fuel Payment. Since the changes were announced, our helpline has been inundated with calls from anxious older people who tell us that they’re already making dramatic cutbacks like skipping meals or washing in cold water. Living in this way can be detrimental to people’s physical and mental health. This cannot be right."
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Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced the news in a statement to the Scottish parliament today.
She said: "This Scottish government is determined to stay true to our values.
"We will not abandon older people this winter or indeed any winter and we will continue to protect our pensioners from the harsh reality of a UK Labour government."
The UK government scrapped universal entitlement to winter fuel payments - which are set at either ￡200 or ￡300 - earlier this year, with only those on pension credit or other benefits eligible.
The Scottish government, which was supposed to introduce a replacement universal benefit north of the border in April, said Labour’s decision meant it had no choice but to push its plans back until late 2025.
The change means an estimated 900,000 pensioners in Scotland are losing out on the payment this winter.
The Daily Express has demanded Rachel Reeves restore the winter fuel allowance for up to 10 million pensioners stripped of it in July.
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Under the plans announced in Scotland, those in receipt of pension credit or other benefits and who have received a ￡200 or ￡300 payment this year will get the same next year through the devolved scheme.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
State pensioners born in these years find ￡300 in accounts from DWP
9 Comments
How to check your postcode for Cold Weather Payments as Storm Bert could bring ￡25
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Warning to state pensioners as they lose ￡770 from January
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State pensioners ￡300 worse off from today as DWP issues warning
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UK households handed vouchers worth up to ￡200 from DWP
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Millions told 'check now' for ￡150 DWP payment
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EDF Energy issues New Year's Day price warning as it admits ‘this isn't ideal'
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State pension, PIP and other DWP benefits changing payment dates in December
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One fund can replace lost Winter Fuel Payment, says Age UK
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Thousands of terminally ill pensioners cruelly denied Winter Fuel Payment figures reveal
1 Comments
One-off DWP payments worth hundreds of pounds due before Christmas
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State pensioners waking up to ￡300 Winter Fuel Payments told to check bank for code
Comments
6.6 million pensioners face harsh winter as fuel payments are axed, Age UK warns
6 Comments
Labour slammed for snatching winter fuel from 44,000 terminally ill Britons
59 Comments
State pensioners born in these years find ￡300 in accounts from DWP
9 Comments
How to check your postcode for Cold Weather Payments as Storm Bert could bring ￡25
5 Comments
Warning to state pensioners as they lose ￡770 from January
Comments
State pensioners ￡300 worse off from today as DWP issues warning
13 Comments
UK households handed vouchers worth up to ￡200 from DWP
4 Comments
Millions told 'check now' for ￡150 DWP payment
Comments
Winter fuel payment nightmare as millions of pensioners are dealt fresh energy bill blow
859 Comments
EDF Energy issues New Year's Day price warning as it admits ‘this isn't ideal'
3 Comments
UK households urged to check bank statements now for ￡300 handout
3 Comments
DWP Cold Weather Payments update as 10,000 homes in 18 postcodes eligible for cash
1 Comments
State pension, PIP and other DWP benefits changing payment dates in December
Comments
Major update on legal fight for Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated
295 Comments
SNP mocked as First Minister hints at early election months after Westminster annihilation
13 Comments
Pension credit refusals soar as oaps desperately try to get winter fuel payments
1 Comments
One fund can replace lost Winter Fuel Payment, says Age UK
9 Comments
Thousands of terminally ill pensioners cruelly denied Winter Fuel Payment figures reveal
1 Comments
One-off DWP payments worth hundreds of pounds due before Christmas
Comments
State pensioners waking up to ￡300 Winter Fuel Payments told to check bank for code
Comments
6.6 million pensioners face harsh winter as fuel payments are axed, Age UK warns
6 Comments
Labour slammed for snatching winter fuel from 44,000 terminally ill Britons
59 Comments
State pensioners born in these years find ￡300 in accounts from DWP
9 Comments
How to check your postcode for Cold Weather Payments as Storm Bert could bring ￡25
5 Comments
Warning to state pensioners as they lose ￡770 from January
Comments
State pensioners ￡300 worse off from today as DWP issues warning
13 Comments
UK households handed vouchers worth up to ￡200 from DWP
4 Comments
Millions told 'check now' for ￡150 DWP payment
Comments
Winter fuel payment nightmare as millions of pensioners are dealt fresh energy bill blow
859 Comments
All other pensioners will receive a reduced payment of ￡100.
Ms Somerville said: "We have not taken this decision lightly, given the significant pressures on the Scottish government’s budget, but this Scottish government is determined to stay true to our values.
“On our watch, we will treat people in this country with fairness, dignity and respect."