Slashing Winter Fuel Payment budget before devolving is disrespectful

Like so many parts of rural Scotland, our population is ageing. It means that staffing is getting older, as well as the people in need of care.

So many parts of rural Scotland see numbers surge over the summer months, but as we head back into winter it will be the local population that faces the prospect of spiralling energy bills, higher costs of living and pressures on public service due to the difficulty of recruitment.

For years, the Winter Fuel Payment from the DWP has helped reduce the pressures and supported pensioners to access a bit of support. But not this year.

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Just weeks before the devolution of the Winter Fuel Payment from the DWP to Social Security Scotland, the UK Government has cut the budget for this benefit by 90% – meaning that the Scottish Government has been left with no choice but to rethink the devolution of the payment and permit the UK Government to replicate its decision in Scotland and restrict payments to older people who receive the relevant eligible benefits.

The Chancellor announced this cut to the Winter Fuel Payment only weeks before the Scottish Parliament is due to take on responsibility for it – and without any consultation with the Scottish Government.

Devolving a policy weeks after cutting its budget by almost 90% is disrespectful to everybody involved in shaping the new Scottish policy.

Not only does it drive a coach and horses through the devolution settlement, it ignores the disproportionate importance of this payment to households in Scotland, who face harsher winters and higher fuel costs. Households in Lochaber, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, who are essential to reversing depopulation.

Now, the refrain is often heard that the Scottish Government should mitigate this cut, but that would mean cuts to other budgets, all of which are fully committed.

The answer is to hold the UK Government accountable for the decisions it makes. One of the first decisions the Labour government has made is to hit pensioners, in rural Scotland, hard. We won’t forget.

There is a deafening silence from Labour politicians in Scotland on this matter too – you can hear the calls of condemnation from them if it had been the Scottish Government to lead the charge on this decision.

(Image: Jeff J Mitchell)

During the election, we and many others warned that Labour were not being straight with people about the cuts they would have to make if they took power, given their insistence on sticking to Tory fiscal rules, cuts and austerity.

It should not be the case that pensioners in a country as energy- rich as Scotland are forced to bear the brunt of spending decisions taken at Westminster.

People voted for a change of government at Westminster – it doesn’t feel like that is what they are getting.

The Highlands feels far removed from the scenes of violence, disorder and riots that took place in some parts of England and Northern Ireland, sparked by the far-right and racism, and fuelled by misinformation and speculation online.

(Image: Alexey Fedorenko)

Here, we have long memories of emigration. Our history and folklore are shaped by people leaving, and finding shelter or welcome in other countries. To that end, we value immigration enormously.

Whilst I am very glad that we have not seen the same disorder here in Scotland, it has been extremely unsettling and frankly quite depressing to watch the misinformation and prejudice which has sadly been all too prevalent on social media platforms recently.

And we aren’t immune to that anywhere in Scotland.

Community leaders and faith groups have been clear about the impact of social media in spreading misinformation, raising alarm and the sense of threat in their communities.

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It is clear to me that social media platforms have a duty to take action to ensure that individuals in our society are not subjected to hate and threatening behaviour, and that communities are protected from violent disorder.

But even more vital is for all of us to show solidarity with the communities affected by violence, hatred, racism, or simply feeling a sense of threat. Even if they are many hundreds of miles away.

I know that Police Scotland has the capability and resources in place to respond should we face similar challenges to what has happened in England and Northern Ireland – and I am extremely grateful for their ongoing efforts to keep communities safe and provide reassurance to those who need it.

During my surgeries in Lochaber this week, many issues were raised – from housing, to transport.

One person did raise the bins, and I am also pleased that a late intervention by the Scottish Government led to the suspension of planned industrial action by council workers, including refuse collectors last week.

The action was suspended by all three trade unions after the Scottish Government provided £77.5 million to fund an improved pay offer.

However, it is important to note that the swift action to ensure this strong offer could be made has been taken against an extremely challenging financial landscape and – while fair – represents the absolute limit of affordability.

And although it has paused the prospect of costly industrial action this week which would have impacted businesses and communities across Scotland – it has meant that we are taking on significant, additional financial pressure and have been clear painful choices have had to be made to fund this pay deal.

We’ve always taken a principled position on supporting the lowest-paid workers, and that really matters in the midst of a cost of living crisis – which is still ongoing.