Reacting to today’s announcement by the Scottish Government that Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be available to all older people in Scotland from next Winter, Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said:
“The reintroduction of winter heating support for all pensioners in Scotland from next winter is welcome and will offer some comfort to the 900,000 pensioners who were set to completely lose the previous Winter Fuel Payment.
“Since the decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only older people on Pension Credit, we’ve seen a surge in the number of older people getting in touch with Independent Age who are worried about heating their homes, and making ends meet, through the winter. Many have told us they are heating only one room, staying in bed all day with a blanket, and cutting back on food to avoid the energy costs associated with cooking.
"With energy prices set to rise again in January, and a staggering 330,000 older households living in fuel poverty in Scotland, it is clear that changing the eligibility of the payment in this way was the wrong decision. It is positive that this has been recognised in Scotland, with the Scottish Government making a payment available to all older people next year, and we hope the UK Government will also reconsider their decision.
"In a compassionate and socially just society, no one should face fuel poverty. We are pleased the Scottish Government has listened to older people, and taken this action today. However, we remain concerned about older people who face this winter without this much needed financial support. Going forward, the Scottish Government should continue to monitor the situation and be open to taking further action in future.”
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age also commented on the news:
“Today we welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to pay the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to all older people in Scotland next year.
"The Scottish Government has listened to the voices of those in later life struggling financially in Scotland and taken action. Now, the UK Government must do the same and make sure older people in poverty continue to receive the Winter Fuel Payment. Since the changes were announced, our helpline has been inundated with calls from anxious older people who tell us that they’re already making dramatic cutbacks like skipping meals or washing in cold water. Living in this way can be detrimental to people’s physical and mental health. This cannot be right.
“Welcome as the announcement from Scotland is, it will not allay fears for older people living on a low income now as they brace for the colder temperatures over the next few months. It is essential that Governments across the nations ensure that older people in financial hardship are not left out in the cold.
“With close to a million older people in the UK currently missing out on Pension Credit when they should be receiving it, and many thousands more just above the eligibility criteria but still finding life incredibly tough, a long term solution to ensure no older person faces fuel poverty should be put in place, before restricting the payment. We need the UK Government to design and deliver a Pension Credit uptake strategy so everyone eligible receives it, and the political parties to agree an adequate income for everyone in later life and put in place plans to help them reach this level.”