Use extra WFP money to boost winter heating payment

Responding to the UK Government's policy U-turn on Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners in England and Wales, Katherine Crawford, Age Scotland's chief executive said:

“This announcement is significant for Scotland’s pensioners as it gives the Scottish Government considerable new funds which they can use to boost the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, making it more adequate for older people here.

"We’ve been concerned that the Scottish Government’s basic rate of £100 to pensioner households this coming winter just isn’t enough for the hundreds of thousands living in fuel poverty or struggling to live in a warm homes as they battle unmanageable energy costs.
 
“We’ve already asked the First Minister to commit to using every penny that would come to Scotland if the UK Government changed its mind on the Winter Fuel Payment to increase the value of their energy bill support payment for pensioners. It shouldn’t be used to cover the Scottish payment’s current budget or repurposed elsewhere. That moment has arrived.
 
“On the face of it, low and modest income pensioners in England and Wales would get two or three times the level of support Scotland is offering this winter. The simplest and most effective route for the Scottish Government to take with the time available before winter is to increase their universal payment to at least the level it used to be and give an extra boost to older people on Pension Credit.

"Doing so will ensure that more older people who need assistance are better supported through our tough winters and the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis.”