SCOTTISH Labour have unveiled plans to force a vote in Holyrood on bringing back a Winter Fuel Payment.
The party has lodged a series of amendments to the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill looking to reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment for the majority of pensioners and set up a tapering mechanism for the highest earners.
MSPs will vote on Scottish Labour’s proposals during Stage 3 of the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday, December 3.
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One of Scottish Labour’s amendments would scrap the current rules restricting the Winter Fuel Payment to those on pension credit from 2025-26 onwards.
A separate amendment would give Scottish Ministers the ability to introduce a form of tapering for the highest earners.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was slammed as a "chancer" last week after after pledging to bring back a Winter Fuel Payment should Scottish Labour win the next Holyrood election.
It would mean him reversing a cut made by Keir Starmer's (below) Labour Government at Westminster, which Sarwar's MPs backed.
Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said the "hypocrisy" of Scottish Labour is "staggering".
She posted on Twitter/X: "14 Labour MSPs voted AGAINST a motion last month that demanded the UK Gov reverse its Winter Fuel Payment cut.
"Now, they want @theSNP to clean up the mess that their own party created down at Westminster.
"The shamelessness of their hypocrisy is staggering."
SNP MP Pete Wishart branded Scottish Labour's U-turn "beyond bizarre" insisting no one would take the "pathetic little ruse" seriously.
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Scottish Labour have suggested that it would be a “gross betrayal” if the SNP fails to back these plans after decrying the changes to the eligibility criteria.
Scottish Labour MSP Paul O’Kane said: “Scottish Labour has been clear that if win the 2026 election, we will reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment for thousands of pensioners – but people shouldn’t have to wait that long.
“Next week will we have an opportunity to take a different approach in Scotland and ensure that every pensioner who needs a payment gets one.
“Across the UK, Labour is cleaning up the mess left behind by the Tories, but Scotland needs a change of direction too.
“The SNP has offered a lot of warm words on Winter Fuel Payments, so it would be a gross betrayal if the SNP fails to back these amendments."
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