New winter heating payment set to benefit 400,000 Scots as regulations set out to Scottish Government

Evidence will be given to a Holyrood committee on a new winter heating benefit being delivered by the Scottish Government.

Social security minister Ben Macpherson is set to discuss the regulations for the winter heating payment – which will replace the UK-wide cold weather payment – at Thursday’s Social Justice Committee.

The new £50 annual payment for households on low-incomes and benefits is due to begin in February.

The Scottish Government says it will benefit around 400,000 people, compared to 185,000 people under the previous benefit.

Ahead of his evidence session at the committee, Macpherson said: “Cold weather payments have been unpredictable over the years because they are dependent on sustained cold weather to trigger a payment.

“Instead, our new winter heating payment will break the link with weather dependency and help those in need wherever they live in Scotland and whatever the weather is like in their area.

“People will be able to rely on getting the winter heating payment every year, rather than having to hope it gets cold enough for long enough before receiving a payment.

“The Scottish Government will invest £20m per year in the winter heating payment – which compares with an average of £8.3m paid out annually in Scotland under the cold weather payment scheme.

“We know people on low incomes are struggling with rising energy bills and that is why we have also doubled the fuel insecurity fund this winter and we are continuing to press the UK Government to use all of its powers to tackle the cost of living crisis.”