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 mentioned: “Reversing this choice on the winter gas cost can be a significant step in making certain our residents can afford to dwell in heat houses.”
He additionally cautioned the UK Authorities that “increasingly folks” may 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 gas funds to hundreds of thousands of retirees south of the border, the Scottish authorities claimed it was compelled 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 in consequence.
Scottish Nationwide Get together (SNP) MSP Clare Haughey mentioned: “As we speak, Anas Sarwar made his selection – it’s extra essential for him to lie down for Sir Keir Starmer than get up for weak pensioners in Scotland.”
Scottish Labour chief Anas Sarwar advised MSPs that the Labour Authorities is “not accountable for the chaos and injury inherited from the Tories”.
He mentioned: “It is a choice that the Labour authorities didn’t need to make however they don’t seem to be accountable for the chaos and injury inherited for the Tories. And why the SNP of all folks need to minimise the injury the Tories have carried out is for them to elucidate.”
In the meantime, a authorities spokesperson said: “We’re dedicated to supporting pensioners – with hundreds of thousands set to see their state pension rise by as much as £1,700 this Parliament by means of our dedication to the triple lock. Over 1,000,000 pensioners will nonetheless obtain the winter gas cost, and our drive to spice up pension credit score take up has already seen a 152% improve in claims.
“Many others may also profit from the £150 heat residence 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 know in regards to the winter gas cost.
What’s the winter gas cost?
It’s a tax-free annual cost the Authorities supplies to assist older folks with their heating prices in the course of the winter. At current, the funds are a common profit for all pensioners — however not for for much longer.
Who’s eligible for winter gas cost?
The quantity you obtain is determined by your age and residing scenario. For instance:
From 2024, solely pensioners receiving different advantages resembling common credit score or pension credit score will qualify for the winter gas cost.
Many have argued that pensioners solely obtain pension credit score if their annual earnings is beneath £11,336.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said restricting the winter fuel payment to these on pension credit score was “reckless and unsuitable” and “spells catastrophe for pensioners on low and modest incomes”.
Age UK mentioned it could battle the choice and have launched a petition.
Scotland now not supplies the common winter gas cost for all pensioners. As an alternative, the Scottish authorities has launched the winter heating cost, an annual allowance of£58.75for these receiving sure advantages.
When will eligible folks obtain their winter gas 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.
apply when you suppose you have to be eligible for the winter gas cost
If you happen to suppose you have to be eligible for the winter gas cost however haven’t obtained it robotically, you may apply by following these steps:
- Test eligibility: Make sure you meet the eligibility standards talked about above.
- Collect info: Have your Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity, financial institution or constructing society particulars, and the date you had been married or entered right into a civil partnership (if relevant) prepared.
- Apply by telephone or submit: By telephone: Name the Winter Gas Fee Centre. The telephone quantity may be discovered on the UK Government website. By submit: Obtain the declare kind from the UK Authorities web site, fill it out, and ship it to the handle supplied on the shape.
- Submit your declare: Ensure to submit your declare by the deadline, normally across the finish of March for that winter season.
When was the winter gas allowance launched?
The Labour authorities of Tony Blair launched the cost in 1997 to sort out gas poverty amongst older folks. The purpose was to supply monetary assist to assist pensioners with the prices of heating their houses in the course of the chilly winter months.
The cost was £20 (or £50 for these in receipt of means-tested advantages).
