SCOTLAND must replicate Northern Ireland’s bid to mitigate Labour’s cut to pensioner’s winter support payments, a union has demanded.
The Northern Ireland Executive has set out plans for a temporary scheme, reportedly worth £17 million, to pay cash to those stripped of their Winter Fuel Payment.
Unite, which has been calling on the devolved governments to mitigate the cut while preparing a legal challenge against the UK Government, said Wales and Scotland now must follow Northern Ireland’s lead.
Stormont’s scheme does not replace the Winter Fuel Payment for those no longer eligible, which would have cost £44m, and Unite estimated that pensioners may get around £80 each to help with their heating bills.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham (above) said: “This is a first step in moving away from this cruel policy. The Northern Ireland executive has listened and responded to Unite’s campaign. While it doesn’t fully restore winter fuel payments it will provide some much-needed respite to pensioners this winter.
“It is now imperative that the other devolved nations follow suit and take action to reverse the UK government’s cut for their pensioners.
READ MORE: SNP 'considering' reversing Winter Fuel Payment cut, minister says
“The winter fuel cut was a grave mistake which exposes vulnerable people to unnecessary risks as the cold weather approaches. The UK Government must change course on this and acknowledge that picking the pockets of pensioners is wrong.”
The SNP, who are in the process of setting their budget and negotiating with other parties to help it pass through Holyrood, have previously indicated they are open to mitigating the policy.
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee told the BBC earlier this month the Scottish Government was “considering” whether it could reverse the cut as a result of increased funding from Westminster.
The Scottish Government was approached for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel