MORE than two-thirds of Scots believe the Scottish Government was wrong to follow Westminster and end the universal Winter Fuel Payment, a fresh poll has shown.
In a new survey commissioned by the Alba Party and carried out by Find Out Now, 69.7% of people said that the Scottish Government was wrong to replicate the UK Government's decision.
Scots said the SNP Government should allocate funding to maintain universal entitlement to the benefit.
READ MORE: One of The National's best subscription offers ever: £10 for one year
After the Labour UK Government announced it would be ending the universal Winter Fuel Payment, the Scottish Government said it had "no choice" but to follow suit because of a resulting cut to its budget.
However, a statement is expected to be made at Holyrood on Thursday in which it is anticipated the Scottish Government will announce further support for pensioners now not receiving the payment.
The Find Out Now poll also showed that nearly two-thirds of both SNP and Labour voters at the General Election believe the decision to cut the payment was wrong.
Alba Party Holyrood leader Ash Regan (below) said: “Westminster's recent Budget again proves that the Exchequer continues to exploit Scotland's energy wealth while overlooking our communities and businesses, regardless of the party in power.
“I am hopeful the Scottish Government will continue to work constructively with the Alba Party, including to protect our vulnerable pensioners this winter as part of the upcoming Scottish budget.”
The First Minister told journalists in Edinburgh on Wednesday there are “steps that could be taken” in Scotland to help pensioners who are set to struggle on the back of losing the benefit, hinting that measures are set to be put in place.
READ MORE: SNP ready for early Scottish election if Budget fails, John Swinney says
Cuts to the payment initiated by the UK Government are set to reduce the block grant adjustment associated with the payment by an estimated £140-£160 million in 2024-25.
That amounts to nearly 90% of the cost of the Scottish Government's new replacement benefit: the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
The launch of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment has currently been deferred to 2025/26.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar announced earlier this week he would be forcing a vote at Holyrood on bringing back the Winter Fuel Payment despite his MPs and MSPs having previously supported Westminster's cut.
John Swinney said Sarwar's change of stance was a "step forward" despite his Government colleague Shirley-Anne Somerville accusing Labour of "staggering hypocrisy".
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