SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has condemned Scotland’s Labour MPs for voting with the UK Labour government in favour of cutting the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners.

Ahead of this afternoon’s vote, there were calls from several political parties, including the SNP, and third sector organisations to u-turn on the decision – which looks set to see almost 900,000 pensioners across Scotland miss out on the £300 payment this winter.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“Labour MPs were elected on the promise of change, but instead they are putting party before pensioners - pensioners who are now paying the price for Labour’s dishonesty and ridiculous commitment to matching Tory fiscal rules.

“In the general election campaign, Labour promised voters lower electricity bills, and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar assured voters that there would be ‘no austerity under Labour’.

“Every single SNP MP rightly voted against the slashing of support for vulnerable pensioners over the winter - and we as a party will continue to oppose further cuts, while using our very limited powers to support those who need it most across our country.

“Many parts of Scotland have far higher energy bills than, for example, the south of England, as a result of the UK energy network’s outdated and unfair system. With such a cold and wet summer here, I know of many people locally in the islands who have had to continue spending money to heat their homes over the past few months, and who are dreading the coming winter, without access to the financial support they need.

“I reiterate SNP calls on the Labour government to see sense and reverse this decision before Scottish pensioners are forced to endure a winter without it.”