ADAMSON: LABOUR LEAVING PENSIONERS IN THE DARK

SNP MSP Clare Adamson has blasted the Labour UK Government following an apparent u-turn on their winter fuel payment cuts which has left uncertainty and anxiety for pensioners across the UK.

Ms Adamson is emphasising that Scottish pensioner support is being protected by the SNP Government but the MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw called on the Labour administration to end the uncertainty it has created over the winter fuel payment.

Last summer, in one of his first moves upon entering Government, Keir Starmer and his Labour administration announced that the UK Government was scrapping universal Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners – a decision which affected almost 900,000 pensioners across Scotland.

But last week, Keir Starmer announced that there are plans to reintroduce the winter fuel payment for some people.  However, the Labour has not provided any detail on its plans or any information on who will be entitled to support following his apparent u-turn.

In Scotland, Winter Fuel Payment is being replaced by a new benefit called Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and the SNP Scottish Government has already committed to support for all Scottish pensioners under the scheme

At today’s First Minister’s Questions, Ms Adamson raised the uncertainty and anxiety caused by Labour’s dithering over their plans and the implications this may have for the Scottish Government’s budget.

She said:

“This has been a Labour-led disaster.  They announced a deeply unpopular decision to cut financial support for pensioners.

“The SNP then steps in to protect Scottish pensioners.  And, under pressure, Keir Starmer makes an apparent u-turn last week after finally admitting that he got it wrong.

“But pensioners and the public are still in the dark about Labour’s plans.

“They cannot even u-turn with purpose.  I am just grateful that the SNP Government had already confirmed it would support Scottish pensioners through the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

“But Labour’s dithering and deflection is not without consequence.  Pensioners across the UK are anxious and uncertain about their position this winter.  And any decision the UK Government makes will have implications for the Scottish Government’s budget.

“That is why Keir Starmer and his Labour Government need to put an end to the uncertainty they have created by their disastrous handling of this saga.

“It is a dreadful policy, terrible executed.  Pensioners deserve better than this and it’s time for the Prime Minister to find some principle.  Meanwhile, the SNP will continue to stand up for Scotland and stand up for pensioners.”

First Minister’s Questions – 29 May 2025

https://youtube.com/shorts/-AtnRkww6Po?feature=share