WITH the Winter Fuel Payment set to be axed for those of pension age not in receipt of benefits, the Sunday National spoke to some of those most likely to be disproportionately affected by the cut.

Last month, the Scottish Government said it had been left with "no choice" but to end universal fuel payments due to UK plans to means test the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales.

Charity Age Scotland condemned the decision to cut the payment, saying the move would take money away from some of the lowest income pensioners in Scotland.

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Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said at the time: “There are currently more than 150,000 pensioners living in poverty in this country, and we know that many more are living on incomes just above the pension credit threshold.

“They will now miss out on a payment which could help them heat their homes and stay warm over winter.”

In addition to the cut, last week energy regulator Ofgem announced that it would be increasing the energy price cap by 10% from October, meaning that the average household energy bill in the UK is set to increase by £149 per year.

Those living in remote or rural communities such as in the Highlands and Islands are more likely to be disproportionately affected by the cut as a result of higher energy bills and experiencing colder temperatures.

Research from Scottish environmental charity Changeworks carried out in April last year found that 24% of households in Scotland were in fuel poverty in 2019, and 12% in extreme poverty.

The charity said remote, rural areas of Scotland face significantly higher levels of fuel poverty, at 40%.

In the Highlands and Islands, 36% of households were in fuel poverty and 24% in extreme fuel poverty.

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These figures have not been updated since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and so do not reflect the cost of living crisis.

Energy bills are higher in these areas because rural households are more likely to use electricity for heating than mains gas, and although they are typically closer to sites where renewable electricity is generated, households in these areas will often face the impact of costs associated with these projects.

'Shows devolution not in our collective interests'

Iain Bruce, based in Nairn, will no longer receive the payment as a result of it becoming means tested.

He told the Sunday National that “the Highlands and Islands have long been the playgrounds of the rich”, who would be unlikely to be affected by the Winter Fuel Payment cut.

“In sharp contrast, the indigenous locals have to suffer the injustices of the Scottish Government means testing the benefit,” he said.

Bruce expressed frustration at residents having to pay higher energy bills in addition to the recent increase of the energy price cap announced by Ofgem.

He added: “There’s folk a lot worse off than me with this, but it is one of the worst examples of devolution not being in our collective interests and the urgent need to control our affairs.”

'I'm £10 over the Winter Fuel Payment threshold'

You don’t have to go as far north as Nairn to see the effects of the cut, however.

Betty McBride, 72, from Airdrie, said she was “angry” at the decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment.

McBride is a great-grandmother who has also been impacted by the Waspi women pension scandal, and currently lives by herself in a one-bedroom house specifically for pensioners.

“I’ve got a small pension from my late husband, so the pension I’ve got and that added together leaves me about £10 over the threshold,” she told the Sunday National.

“I’m a bit worried, but it’s not going to put me off my sleep.”

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McBride added that she feels safer after building up her electricity credit through the summer, when she didn’t have to have the heating on.

“It’s ridiculous, what they’re doing, especially because I have to pay tax on my husband’s pension,” she continued.

“Why should I have to do that? I worked since I was 15, I retired and that’s me paying tax again. I’m essentially being taxed double.”

She called for the threshold of who is now eligible for the payment to be increased, adding that it would help to pay for expenses such as food and clothes.

Scottish Greens MSP for the Highlands and Islands Ariane Burgess (below) has previously called on the UK Government to lower energy bills for those living in rural communities.

She told the Sunday National that the decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment “will only make things worse”.

Burgess said: “People all across Highland and Island communities are already being hit with higher bills and shocking levels of fuel poverty. The Chancellor's senseless and unfair decision will only make it worse.

“There is no justification for the cut, especially not at a time when costs are increasing.

“There are a lot of people, particularly older people, who rely on their Winter Fuel Payment. Taking it away from them will only make things worse at a time when so many are already struggling.

“I hope that the UK Government will reverse this devastating decision and that they will support people through a long cold winter.”

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville (below) said: “Despite all efforts to review our financial position, we have been left with no choice but to follow the UK Government and restrict eligibility for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to older people who receive relevant eligible benefits such as Pension Credit.

“This is not a decision we wanted to take but was necessary, when faced with such a deep cut to our funding and in the most challenging financial circumstances since devolution. The reduction we are facing amounts to as much as 90% of the cost of Scotland’s replacement benefit, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

“The UK Government must do more to increase take-up as well as moving forward with plans for a social energy tariff, and I have pressed the Secretary of State on wider plans to protect energy customers in greatest need.

“Our Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund was established in December 2022 to help local authorities support those islanders most affected by cost of living pressures.

“It has already distributed £2.4 million, which has been used to provide immediate help to households who are struggling most. We have made £1m available to continue this delivery across 2024-2025.”