Somerville urges UK Government to reverse cut to winter fuel payment

Scotland’s social justice secretary has called on the UK Government to reverse the cut to the winter fuel payment which she said has had “devastating consequences” north of the border.

Shirley-Anne Somerville said reform of the UK energy markets is needed and urged Westminster to take action to address root causes of fuel poverty and volatile energy prices.

The UK Government is withdrawing winter fuel payments from millions of pensioner households across the country who are not in receipt of benefits.

Following the decision at Westminster, the Scottish Government said the equivalent payment north of the border will be restricted to “older people who receive relevant eligible benefits”, saying they had “no choice” due to the reduction in funding coming to Scotland.

Ms Somerville has written to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and said that while the Scottish Government supports vulnerable households affected by fuel poverty “we cannot continue to mitigate UK austerity policy decisions”.

She said: “What is really needed is reform of the UK energy markets to address the root causes of fuel poverty in Scotland, such as high fuel prices.

“In these circumstances I would urge you to now reverse the winter fuel payment decision and reinstate the payment for all pensioners.

“This decision was of course taken without consultation or discussion with the Scottish Government and it has had devastating consequences for our planned launch of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, reducing the Block-Grant Adjustment for our devolved payment by over 80%.

“Having carefully considered the options, given the significant impact of this decision and the wider cuts being imposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on our budgets, we have had no choice but to mirror this approach in Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, our replacement for Winter Fuel Payment, which is to be delivered in Scotland this winter by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the Scottish Government.”

The Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have insisted the decision to cut winter fuel payments was necessary to help address a £22bn “black hole” in the public finances this year that they inherited from the Conservatives.

The UK Government has been asked for comment.