John Swinney is set to face questions from opposition parties at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, following the Scottish Government’s announcement that new winter fuel payments will not be issued on a universal basis.
On Wednesday, the Scottish Government set out plans for a slightly more generous winter fuel payment, with some households receiving up to £5 more than other areas of the UK.
The benefit will be made available to all Scottish pensioners with an income below £35,000.
However, Scottish ministers said they are in discussion with the UK Government to recover payments from pensioners with income over £35,000 a year through the tax system – matching the UK government system.
Speaking to STV News on Wednesday, social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said ending the universal aspect of the benefit would ensure the payments were helping those with the greatest need.
The First Minister is likely to face scrutiny for the decision on Thursday.
Tory MSP Maurice Golden is also set to challenge the First Minister to respond to reports that up to 100 truckloads of Scotland’s waste will be moved each day to England as a result of the landfill ban on biodegradable waste.
The Scottish Tories have been critical of the reports, calling on the SNP to “get a grip of this situation” before the ban comes into force in December.
The First Minister will also be asked about the Government’s most recent position on University funding.
Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy is preparing to ask the First Minister about his Government’s up-to-date position on funding Scotland’s universities.
The question comes less than 24 hours after MSPs were told Scotland’s colleges have been left in a “fragile” state following years of underinvestment.
Angela Cox, chair of the Colleges Principals Group at Colleges Scotland, told Holyrood’s Education Committee on Wednesday that the further education sector was “hanging on by our fingernails”.
FMQs will be streamed live from Holyrood at noon on Thursday.
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