THE decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for those not in receipt of benefits has been slammed by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), which called the announcement “completely unjust”.

On Monday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves made several announcements which look set to impact workers, amid a £22 billion black hole in public finances left over from the previous Conservative government.

Amongst the announcements included a pay rise for public sector workers worth £9.4bn, and the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of people.

Roz Foyer, STUC general secretary of the STUC – Scotland's largest trade union body – told The National: “There is no way to dress this up, this was a statement setting out the grim fiscal destruction left behind by the Tory UK government.

“Public sector workers had been treated with utter disdain by the previous government. That changes now.”

Foyer (below) said that the decision to accept the independent pay review body recommendations on public sector pay is “deeply welcome”.

She joins other trade union leaders in welcoming the move, with Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA – the civil servants’ union – saying: “This announcement is the first step in the right direction.”

Foyer added: “This will have Barnett consequentials for the Scottish Government that we must see reinvested into our public services.”

READ MORE: 'This is not austerity': Labour MPs sent 'lines to take' amid spending cuts

This is not the only announcement made by Reeves which will impact Scotland – the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment for those not in receipt of benefits looks set to affect Scotland, too.

A Scottish Government spokesperson told The National the decision will “reduce the funding given” for the Scottish equivalent, set to be introduced later this year.

Meanwhile, Ivan McKee, the Scottish Minister for Public Finance, said the Scottish Government will have to find around £100 million to mitigate Labour’s cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.

The decision has been slammed by the STUC, as Foyer said: “It’s completely unjust that pensioners are being robbed of their Winter Fuel Payment.

“There is wealth in the UK. It’s just in the wrong hands.

“We can afford to give pensioners compassion and security through the Fuel Payment and also ensure public sector workers get the respect they deserve through hard-earned pay rises.”

'Reeves cannot fall at the first hurdle’

Foyer said that “all eyes now turn to October 30”, when Reeves will set out the Autumn Budget.

This could have huge consequences for workers, with tax rises becoming an increasing possibility despite Labour’s pledge during the election campaign that they wouldn’t “raise taxes for working people”.

READ MORE: Labour bosses' words back to haunt them after cutting Winter Fuel Payment

Foyer called on the Labour Government to introduce a wealth tax, which she said would improve the lives of workers.

“The Chancellor has an opportunity to set out her stall in creating an economy that works for working people,” she said.

“That must begin by taxing wealth. She cannot fall at the first hurdle.”

Industrial reaction

Hundreds of ScotRail workers from Unite, RMT, Aslef and TSSA are being balloted on strike action amid an ongoing pay dispute.

Staff could walk out as early as September, with workers yet to receive a formal pay offer.

In other news, a rally to protect jobs at Grangemouth oil refinery has been organised by Unite.

The Keep Grangemouth Working campaign will hold a rally on Saturday from 11am to protest against the closure of Grangemouth, which puts more than 500 jobs at risk.

More information can be found here.