THE UK Government’s “scandalous decision” to drastically cut the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment will leave 85% of Scottish pensioners in poverty without the vital fund, a recent study has found.
Nearly 900,000 Scottish pensioners will lose their Winter Fuel Payment according to charity Age Scotland, which conducted its own Equality Impact Assessment of the UK Government’s policy change.
Age Scotland said the analysis from its sister's organisation was carried out because the UK Government either “didn’t carry out their own assessment” or have “chosen not to publish it”.
Last month Keir Starmer confirmed that a full impact assessment of the change to the Winter Fuel Payment scheme had not been carried out.
The report found that 200k (85%) pensioners in Scotland living in poverty or just above the poverty line will no longer receive the payment.
The scheme previously supplied pensioners with funding worth up to £300 to help with soaring energy costs.
Age Scotland’s policy director Adam Stachura said that many pensioners have relied on the payment and the “brutal” decision will cut off vital support to those who need it the most.
He said: “It’s frankly scandalous to consider that the vast majority of pensioners in Scotland living in poverty or just above the poverty line will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year.
“This research brings into sharp focus just how many older people will be living in cold homes, eating fewer hot meals, and risking their health for fear of falling into unmanageable debt this winter, and it is those already struggling who will bear the weight of the UK Government's rushed decision.
“Pensioners have historically relied on the Winter Fuel Payment to take the sting out of rising energy bills during the coldest months of the year.
“Unless we see a drastic U-turn in the government’s approach, this brutal decision will cut off vital support for those who need it most, when they need it most – with no alternative in place for older people on low incomes unless they receive Pension Credit.”
More than 550k people have signed Age UK’s petition calling on the UK Government to reverse its decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for hundreds of thousands of pensioners.
You can also add your name to the ongoing petition in Scotland here.
Older people in Scotland living on low incomes or struggling with bills can contact Age Scotland’s free helpline on 0800 12 44 222 to check if they’re receiving all the financial support available to them.
