This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87jn902nxpo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Scottish ministers 'in the dark' over winter fuel payment U-turn Scottish ministers 'in the dark' over winter fuel payment U-turn
(about 2 hours later)
Scottish pensioners could be worse off than those in England and WalesScottish pensioners could be worse off than those in England and Wales
The Scottish government says it has been left in the dark over a surprise decision to reinstate winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners in England and WalesThe Scottish government says it has been left in the dark over a surprise decision to reinstate winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners in England and Wales
Scotland's Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said ministers were not consulted on the major U-turn announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.Scotland's Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said ministers were not consulted on the major U-turn announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
More than 75% of pensioners in England and Wales will be entitled to the new annual payment of up to £300 after the UK government abandoned one of its first - and most controversial - policies.More than 75% of pensioners in England and Wales will be entitled to the new annual payment of up to £300 after the UK government abandoned one of its first - and most controversial - policies.
Scotland has already created a devolved benefit of £100 for all pensioner households, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of Scots worse off than their counterparts in England and Wales.Scotland has already created a devolved benefit of £100 for all pensioner households, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of Scots worse off than their counterparts in England and Wales.
Last July, Reeves drew widespread criticism over cuts to the winter fuel payment - a lump sum of £200 a year for households with a pensioner under 80, or £300 for households with a pensioner over 80 - in a bid to save an estimated £1.4bn.Last July, Reeves drew widespread criticism over cuts to the winter fuel payment - a lump sum of £200 a year for households with a pensioner under 80, or £300 for households with a pensioner over 80 - in a bid to save an estimated £1.4bn.
In response, the Scottish government introduced a new scheme offering those in receipt of qualifying benefits like Pension Credit £200 or £300 depending on their age, and £100 for all other pensioner households.In response, the Scottish government introduced a new scheme offering those in receipt of qualifying benefits like Pension Credit £200 or £300 depending on their age, and £100 for all other pensioner households.
However, while the benefit for pensioners above the income threshold will be clawed back through tax, richer pensioners in Scotland will be able to keep the payment.However, while the benefit for pensioners above the income threshold will be clawed back through tax, richer pensioners in Scotland will be able to keep the payment.
Following the latest announcement from Westminster, Scottish pensioners who do not get pension credit but whose income is below that £35,000 threshold are expected to receive £100 less than if they lived in England or Wales.Following the latest announcement from Westminster, Scottish pensioners who do not get pension credit but whose income is below that £35,000 threshold are expected to receive £100 less than if they lived in England or Wales.
There are 1.1 million pensioners in Scotland living in 751,000 pensioner households. Almost 17% of these households receive pension credit.There are 1.1 million pensioners in Scotland living in 751,000 pensioner households. Almost 17% of these households receive pension credit.
Shirley-Anne Somerville said Scottish ministers had not been consultedShirley-Anne Somerville said Scottish ministers had not been consulted
The Treasury has said the "uplift" for the Scottish government will be £250m, delivered in the usual autumn budget.The Treasury has said the "uplift" for the Scottish government will be £250m, delivered in the usual autumn budget.
Shirley-Anne Somerville said Scotland introduced a winter heating payment for all pensioners because of the UK government's "betrayal of millions of pensioners".Shirley-Anne Somerville said Scotland introduced a winter heating payment for all pensioners because of the UK government's "betrayal of millions of pensioners".
She said the Scottish government welcomed the U-turn, but "there is still no detail about how the Chancellor intends to go about that".She said the Scottish government welcomed the U-turn, but "there is still no detail about how the Chancellor intends to go about that".
The social justice secretary said: "We have once again not been consulted on the policy and its implications in Scotland and will scrutinise the proposals carefully when they are announced.The social justice secretary said: "We have once again not been consulted on the policy and its implications in Scotland and will scrutinise the proposals carefully when they are announced.
"I would therefore urge the UK government to ensure the Scottish government is fully appraised of the proposed changes as soon as possible.""I would therefore urge the UK government to ensure the Scottish government is fully appraised of the proposed changes as soon as possible."
Scottish Labour has called on the SNP to ensure Scots are not "left behind".Scottish Labour has called on the SNP to ensure Scots are not "left behind".
"The SNP must not go ahead with plans that would rob poorer pensioners in order to fund payments for millionaires," Labour MSP Paul O'Kane said."The SNP must not go ahead with plans that would rob poorer pensioners in order to fund payments for millionaires," Labour MSP Paul O'Kane said.
"The SNP must re-examine their own proposals in light of this game-changing announcement, ensure payments reach those most in need, and give a cast-iron guarantee that no struggling Scottish pensioners will be left out of pocket under their plans.""The SNP must re-examine their own proposals in light of this game-changing announcement, ensure payments reach those most in need, and give a cast-iron guarantee that no struggling Scottish pensioners will be left out of pocket under their plans."
Peter and Flo Fanning took the UK and Scottish governments to court over the origingal benefits decision
Pensioners Peter and Flo Fanning, from Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire, took the UK and Scottish governments to court over the decision to cut winter fuel payments.
They alleged that both governments failed to adequately consult with those of pension age and did not release an equality impact assessment on the changes.
They also claimed the decision to end the £300 benefit for thousands of pensioners across the country last year was "irrational" and breached their human rights.
Speaking after the UK government's U-turn, Mr Fanning told BBC Scotland News: "We feel vindicated. There was possibly a thought from Westminster that pensioners would just roll over and lie down and accept it.
"What's been proved is that pensioners are a force to be reckoned with. You can't mess with them – you need to think about all the life experience they've had.
"I think they've got to think about the pensioners who worked all their days and got a works pension that puts them over the limit.
"What are they saying to pensioners? Don't save for your future because you're going to be better off if you don't have a works pension?"
He added: "Scotland should be the same as England and Wales.
"We have to hold our governments to task about the decisions they make without seeing how they affect people.
"Once that payment is out, I'll be very happy."
Does Scotland have to change its winter payment plans?Does Scotland have to change its winter payment plans?
The Scottish government now has a decision to make.The Scottish government now has a decision to make.
They had announced a devolved benefit for this winter which meant every pensioner household would get a minimum of £100 this winter.They had announced a devolved benefit for this winter which meant every pensioner household would get a minimum of £100 this winter.
This new UK government announcement means that households in England and Wales, where someone's income is less than £35,000, are due a payment of £200 (or £300 for households with a pensioner over 80).This new UK government announcement means that households in England and Wales, where someone's income is less than £35,000, are due a payment of £200 (or £300 for households with a pensioner over 80).
It's important to note that the Scottish payment is universal. The English and Welsh one is not.It's important to note that the Scottish payment is universal. The English and Welsh one is not.
But, all of a sudden, a cohort of Scottish pensioners – who don't get pension credit, but whose income is below that £35,000 threshold – are getting less than their English/Welsh equivalents.But, all of a sudden, a cohort of Scottish pensioners – who don't get pension credit, but whose income is below that £35,000 threshold – are getting less than their English/Welsh equivalents.
That puts some pressure on Scottish ministers. Do they have to change what they're planning to pay out?That puts some pressure on Scottish ministers. Do they have to change what they're planning to pay out?
After some conversations with people in the Scottish government, it seems they're still digesting the implications of all of this.After some conversations with people in the Scottish government, it seems they're still digesting the implications of all of this.
But it looks like they'll get extra money off the back of today's announcement (known as Barnett consequentials).But it looks like they'll get extra money off the back of today's announcement (known as Barnett consequentials).
There are already calls for that all to be used to make their payment more generous.There are already calls for that all to be used to make their payment more generous.