SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has expressed his serious concerns over the Labour Chancellor’s decision to cut winter fuel payments to only the poorest of pensioners.

The cut announced by the Chancellor will see some 10 million pensioners in the UK lose out on the payment to help heat their homes this winter. Responsibility for the winter fuel payment is set to be transferred to Holyrood in September, when it will become the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP).

However, this announcement from the UK Government will have serious ramifications for the Scottish Government. Scotland’s Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee announced the Scottish Government were expecting £180 million from Westminster, but the Chancellor’s announcement suggest it will be cut to just £80 million.

Following the announcement, Alasdair Allan, SNP MSP for the Western Isles commented:

“This is certainly concerning news for the islands. Despite being rich in renewable energy sources, the Western Isles has some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the UK.

“Given we have a high population of pensioners in an area with longer and colder winters than residents south of the border, it is hard to see how Labour can justify this reckless decision.

“Whilst facing a possible £100 million cut to the PAWHP, I appreciate the Scottish Government will do all within its powers to ensure the most vulnerable, such as those within my constituency do not lose out on this valuable payment.

“However, following Labour’s pre-election promises of ‘change’, it seems once again Holyrood is expected to try and mitigate Westminster austerity. Therefore, I would call all on all Scottish Labour MPs to use their positions of influence to request the Chancellor rethinks her decision.”

ENDS