SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has called for the Labour UK Government to apologise for the winter payments fiasco, after they finally confirmed 75% of pensioners will now receive a winter fuel payment in England and Wales, following a humiliating U-turn.

To date, the Chancellor has refused to apologise to the millions of pensioners who have risked choosing between heating or eating this winter.

The Scottish Government has already assured pensioners living in Scotland that they will be protected by a universal winter fuel payment.

Following the announcement, Allan commented:

“We are not even a full year into a Labour Government and we are already witnessing a major and embarrassing U-turn.

“Whilst this adjustment is one most people will rightly welcome, I think the lack of an apology from the UK Government for this botched policy is shameful.

“This U-turn also gives me concerns that the Labour Government will make cuts elsewhere to balance the books, similar to what they’ve already done to the disabled.

“The Scottish Government, by contrast, are already protecting Scotland’s most vulnerable with a universal winter fuel payment, abolishing the two-child benefit cap and introducing the Scottish Child Payment scheme.

“Nevertheless, it should not be the job of Holyrood to mitigate Labour’s UK policies at Westminster. With the powers of independence, we can decide our own policies that benefit our distinct needs and finally lower energy bills for all.”