Scottish Government demands clarity from UK Government over 'shambolic' winter fuel payment U-turn

Scottish pensioners won’t know the impact of the “shambolic” winter fuel payment U-turn until the UK Government shares more details, a Scottish Government minister has said.

On Monday, UK chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the Government was planning a partial U-turn on the highly unpopular decision to cut winter fuel payments for nine million pensioners last year.

Reeves assured that pensioners in England and Wales with an income of or below £35,000 per year will benefit from the revised winter fuel payment.

The changes don’t apply to Scotland, however the decision will impact the amount of money that comes to Scotland for similar, devolved benefits.

Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville told STV News on Tuesday that the details of those impacts are still not yet known.

“We’re still waiting to get the details,” Somerville said.

“It’s clear from the secretary of state for Scotland that he doesn’t know either. Once we get information from the UK Government, we’ll be able to further determine the impact of what we can do up here.”

She added: “Until we get that, the U-turn is welcome but the way this policy has been developed is absolutely shambolic.”

Following the winter fuel payment cuts at Westminster last year, the SNP Government vowed to step in and bring back a universal winter fuel payment for pensioners by this winter.

Reeves’ announcement on Monday could mean the Scottish Government can pass on a higher benefit to pensioners.

It’s something Somerville has promised to look at, but she reassured pensioners that no matter what the Scottish Government has plans in place for a universal payments of £200 or £300 for those on pension credits this winter.

However, Somerville said it is “very difficult” for the Scottish Government to plan when they haven’t been told the details of the UK Labour Government’s U-turn – or where the money behind it is coming from.

“We need to find out how much money is coming and we need to do that quickly because it’s very, very important that systems have to be built, processes have to be put in place, and regulations have to be passed.

“That’s why the way the Government has done this in such a shambolic manner at Westminster has made it exceptionally difficult for the Scottish Government to react quickly.

“I want to give pensioners reassurance that we will protect them and have universal payments in time for this winter. And if there’s anything more we can do, we’ll look at that – if only the UK Government would give me the information to allow me to do that.”