All Scottish pensioners to get winter gas cost

The Scottish Government has introduced that each pensioner in Scotland will obtain a winter gas cost subsequent yr.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville informed the Scottish Parliament that these receiving eligible advantages comparable to Pension Credit will obtain £200 or £300 relying on their age, whereas all different pensioners will obtain £100.

The cash will probably be paid by means of a brand new Holyrood profit, which is not going to be prepared till the top of 2025.

The UK authorities earlier this yr scrapped common eligibility for the winter gas cost – ​​which is ready at £200 or £300, with solely these on pension credit score or different advantages eligible.

The Scottish Government was attributable to take over accountability for winter gas funds in September – however the introduction of a brand new common profit north of the border has been delayed following a UK Government determination.

Somerville mentioned adjustments to UK eligibility guidelines left it with a £150m shortfall, and it had no alternative however to carry ahead its plans to the top of 2025.

The change means an estimated 900,000 pensioners in Scotland are set to lose out on gas funds this winter.

Scottish Conservative social safety spokeswoman Liz Smith accused ministers of “deceiving” pensioners by “pretending” that the complete winter gas cost was being launched, when actually some would obtain a lowered cost of £100.

Somerville informed MSPs that by subsequent winter these Scots could be entitled to the newly developed Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP).

He mentioned: “This universal benefit – providing much-needed support not available anywhere else in the UK – will provide support for all pensioner families as we always did in funding before the UK Government's decision to means-test the winter fuel payment. There is £147 million of support available for our new benefits in Scotland this winter.

“We will not abandon older people this winter or any winter.

“We will do our best to ensure no one has to decide between heating and eating, and we will continue to protect pensioners.”

The Social Justice Secretary additionally introduced an additional £20m in welfare funding for councils this monetary yr, in addition to an additional £20m for the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme.

There will probably be an additional £1 million for social landlords and a 3rd sector for homelessness prevention work.

Somerville's assertion has been seen by some as an try to undercut Scottish Labor chief Anas Sarwar, who has vowed to undo among the cuts imposed by his Westminster colleagues.

Labor was MSP referred to as on the Scottish authorities Using further UK Government funding to be despatched to Holyrood because of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement to offer common protection to pensioners this yr.

Labor MSP Paul O'Kane highlighted that the £41m assist bundle introduced by Somerville for this monetary yr is equal to a money enhance coming to Holyrood by means of elevated Treasury spending on the UK Domestic Support Fund.

He additionally pointed to a £3.4 billion enhance in subsequent yr's Scottish price range Due to the Chancellor's autumn spending announcement.

The UK authorities mentioned the choice to chop winter gas funds was made as a result of “black hole” left within the public funds by the earlier Conservative authorities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned the rise within the state pension – which is because of rise by £460 a yr in April – would “overwhelm” the losses of those that is not going to obtain the winter gas cost.

However, the state pension enhance will probably be unfold over the yr from subsequent April, whereas winter gas funds are often made in November or December.

It has been beforehand reported that as much as 40% of eligible pensioners don’t apply for pension credit score.

However, New figures from UK authorities A surge in claims has been seen because the Chancellor revealed his plans to trial the winter gas cost.

Reeves introduced the transfer on July 29. In the 16 weeks since, nearly 150,000 Pension Credit purposes have been made throughout the UK – nearly 150% greater than within the 16 weeks earlier than the Chancellor's assertion.

Yet the variety of approvals has elevated by solely 17% over the identical interval, whereas the variety of rejections has nearly doubled from 27,100 to 53,100.

It means 81,000 extra pensioners have acquired additional money because the summer season, out of a possible 880,000 individuals the federal government believes are eligible for the cash.

The UK authorities is urging pensioners to verify whether or not they’re eligible for advantages.

Those who apply earlier than December 21 will obtain backdated funds of each pension credit score and winter gas allowance.

The Department for Work and Pensions has deployed 500 additional workers to deal with profit claims.