Winter fuel payment in Scotland 'will not be less than UK benefit'

Winter fuel payments for pensioners in Scotland will be no less than those being paid south of the border by the UK government, John Swinney has confirmed.

The Scottish first minister made the announcement on Monday in light of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's partial U-turn last week. Mr Swinney said: "I am very happy to confirm that no pensioner in Scotland will receive less than they would under the new UK scheme.

"Details will be set out in due course by my government, but the Scottish government will always seek what is best for Scotland's pensioners." It comes after the Labour government backtracked on its controversial cut to the once universal benefit. Pensioners in England and Wales who earn under £35,000 will now receive £200 for those aged up to 79, and £300 for those aged over 80.

The Scottish government, which was forced to delay plans for a new universal benefit following Westminster's decision last summer, had already partially U-turned. Under the devolved proposal, all pensioners north of the border were told they would receive at least £100 in 2025/26.

Those in receipt of pension credit or other benefits were promised either £203 or £305, depending on their age. While speaking to journalists, Mr Swinney said the change in policy from the UK government would increase Holyrood's funding by around £120m.

In a statement, the first minister said: "The winter fuel payment kept some of the most vulnerable in society warm in winter - it was always the right thing to do but it was also the smart thing to do. "Smart because it kept people out of hospital, in their own home.

It kept them warm and well. And then it was gone.

"To be quite blunt about it, I don't believe cutting this winter lifeline was ever going to save a penny because making millions of pensioners poorer makes them also colder and makes them also sicker and that in turn puts up the bill for our social services and our NHS. "It is an almost textbook definition of a false economy." Read more from Sky News:The benefits and discounts available to pensionersIsrael-Iran conflict poses new cost of living threat - here's why Scottish Tory MSP Liz Smith accused the SNP of following Labour's "shameful" lead when the universal payment was scrapped last year.

She added: "And, like Keir Starmer, the nationalists have been forced into a humiliating U-turn because of the huge public backlash. "If cutting fuel payments to pensioners was the false economy John Swinney now claims it was, why did he copy Labour by ditching it in Scotland? "Labour and the SNP created huge anxiety, uncertainty and financial hardship for pensioners up and down the country and that betrayal will not be forgiven or forgotten.".