The Scottish Parliament voted by 99 to 14 in favour of a decision from the First Minister, requesting the Labour Authorities at Westminster to make a U-turn. The movement was supported by all of the events, together with former Scottish Labour chief Richard Leonard and Alex Rowley, who resigned from the entrance bench final month.
Mr Swinney stated: “Reversing this choice on the winter gasoline cost will likely be a significant step in guaranteeing our residents can afford to stay in heat houses.”
He additionally cautioned the UK Authorities that “increasingly more individuals” might query “why it’s {that a} nation as energy-rich as Scotland ought to tolerate such selections being imposed upon us by Westminster governments” if it doesn’t change the coverage and ignores requests for power market reform.
Following the UK authorities’s choice to cease offering common winter gasoline funds to thousands and thousands of retirees south of the border, the Scottish authorities claimed it was pressured to introduce means-testing, which limits the funds to people who get pension credit score. About 900,000 fewer seniors in Scotland are anticipated to obtain the cost because of this.
Scottish Nationwide Social gathering (SNP) MSP Clare Haughey stated: “As we speak, Anas Sarwar made his alternative – it’s extra vital for him to lie down for Sir Keir Starmer than arise for susceptible pensioners in Scotland.”
Scottish Labour chief Anas Sarwar advised MSPs that the Labour Authorities is “not chargeable for the chaos and harm inherited from the Tories”.
He stated: “This can be a choice that the Labour authorities didn’t wish to make however they aren’t chargeable for the chaos and harm inherited for the Tories. And why the SNP of all individuals wish to minimise the harm the Tories have carried out is for them to elucidate.”
In the meantime, a authorities spokesperson said: “We’re dedicated to supporting pensioners – with thousands and thousands set to see their state pension rise by as much as £1,700 this Parliament by way of our dedication to the triple lock. Over 1,000,000 pensioners will nonetheless obtain the winter gasoline cost, and our drive to spice up pension credit score take up has already seen a 152% enhance in claims.
“Many others may even profit from the £150 heat house low cost to assist with power payments over winter, whereas our extension of the family assist fund will assist with the price of meals, heating and payments.”
Right here’s what it’s essential to know concerning the winter gasoline cost.
What’s the winter gasoline cost?
It’s a tax-free annual cost the Authorities offers to assist older individuals with their heating prices throughout the winter. At current, the funds are a common profit for all pensioners — however not for for much longer.
Who’s eligible for winter gasoline cost?
The quantity you obtain is determined by your age and dwelling state of affairs. For instance:
From 2024, solely pensioners receiving different advantages comparable to common credit score or pension credit score will qualify for the winter gasoline cost.
Many have argued that pensioners solely obtain pension credit score if their annual revenue is under £11,336.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said restricting the winter fuel payment to these on pension credit score was “reckless and fallacious” and “spells catastrophe for pensioners on low and modest incomes”.
Age UK stated it could struggle the choice and have launched a petition.
Scotland not offers the common winter gasoline cost for all pensioners. As a substitute, the Scottish authorities has launched the winter heating cost, an annual allowance of£58.75for these receiving sure advantages.
When will eligible individuals obtain their winter gasoline cost?
You’ll get a letter telling you:
- how a lot you’ll get
- the checking account it is going to be paid into — normally the identical one as your pension credit score or different advantages.
How you can apply if you happen to assume you have to be eligible for the winter gasoline cost
If you happen to assume you have to be eligible for the winter gasoline cost however haven’t obtained it routinely, you may apply by following these steps:
- Test eligibility: Make sure you meet the eligibility standards talked about above.
- Collect data: Have your Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity, financial institution or constructing society particulars, and the date you have been married or entered right into a civil partnership (if relevant) prepared.
- Apply by telephone or publish: By telephone: Name the Winter Gas Fee Centre. The telephone quantity may be discovered on the UK Government website. By publish: Obtain the declare type from the UK Authorities web site, fill it out, and ship it to the tackle offered on the shape.
- Submit your declare: Be sure to submit your declare by the deadline, normally across the finish of March for that winter season.
When was the winter gasoline allowance launched?
The Labour authorities of Tony Blair launched the cost in 1997 to sort out gasoline poverty amongst older individuals. The objective was to supply monetary assist to assist pensioners with the prices of heating their houses throughout the chilly winter months.
The cost was £20 (or £50 for these in receipt of means-tested advantages).