A Renfrewshire MSP has hit out at new Labour MP Rachel Reeves announcement to limit the annual winter fuel payment to those receiving pension credit or other benefits.
Natalie Don, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North & West, claims the decision will push tens of thousands of low-income pensioners further into poverty.
According to Age Scotland there are around 150,000 pensioners living in poverty in Scotland and many more just above that level, all of whom will be impacted by Labour’s decision to means test the winter fuel payment. Anyone who does not receive, or claim, pension credit will no longer get this benefit which was aimed at helping older people with fuel bills over the coldest months.
The Scottish Pensioners Forum believe that 1 in 4 older people don’t apply for pension credit, due in part to the complex system and the perceived indignity surrounding it. Labour politicians must be aware of this yet fail to take this into account.
Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “I would urge the UK government to look again at this decision, which affects older people who are already struggling with the high cost of living and will now face being worse off at a time they desperately need support.
“Already Age Scotland are getting calls to our helpline from older people who are distressed by the announcement and worried about what lies ahead. I would call on anyone in that position to get in touch with our free helpline on 0800 12 44 222 where our advisers can carry out a full benefits’ check to ensure that you are getting everything you are entitled to.”
Natalie Don MSP added: “So much for Labour saying there would be no austerity cuts, the first announcement made by the Chancellor is going to impact negatively on a lot of pensioners in Renfrewshire.
“This decision by Labour will push tens of thousands of low income pensioners in Scotland further into poverty, and puts some of the poorest older people at greater risk of ill-health and burgeoning debt.
“We know that Ofgem is proposing a 10% increase in the price cap from October and this will add even more pressure to pensioner households. It’s clear that this Labour government is piling more misery onto pensioners already suffering under the cost of living crisis.
“It is disgraceful that anyone should be in fuel poverty in Scotland. We are an energy rich country but have no control over our own resources and pensioners and households all across Scotland are suffering from a Westminster government that treats them with contempt.”
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