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| Scottish winter fuel payment 'will not be less than UK rate' - John Swinney | Scottish winter fuel payment 'will not be less than UK rate' - John Swinney |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| First Minister John Swinney made the announcement at a speech in Glasgow | First Minister John Swinney made the announcement at a speech in Glasgow |
| Winter fuel payments for Scottish pensioners will not be less than those being paid by the UK government south of the border, John Swinney has said. | Winter fuel payments for Scottish pensioners will not be less than those being paid by the UK government south of the border, John Swinney has said. |
| The first minister made the announcement after Chancellor Rachel Reeves U-turned on a highly controversial cut. | The first minister made the announcement after Chancellor Rachel Reeves U-turned on a highly controversial cut. |
| The Scottish government had already said it would provide at least £100 to all pensioner households, with those on pension credit to receive up to £305 depending on age. | The Scottish government had already said it would provide at least £100 to all pensioner households, with those on pension credit to receive up to £305 depending on age. |
| But in a speech in Glasgow, Swinney confirmed no Scottish pensioner "will receive less than they would under the new UK scheme", without giving further details. | But in a speech in Glasgow, Swinney confirmed no Scottish pensioner "will receive less than they would under the new UK scheme", without giving further details. |
| Under the chancellor's scheme, every household with a person over the state pension age in England and Wales and an income of up to £35,000 will receive £200 for those aged up to 80 and £300 for those aged over 80. | Under the chancellor's scheme, every household with a person over the state pension age in England and Wales and an income of up to £35,000 will receive £200 for those aged up to 80 and £300 for those aged over 80. |
| For those with an income of more than £35,000, the money will be recouped through the tax system. | For those with an income of more than £35,000, the money will be recouped through the tax system. |
| Reeves was heavily criticised for cutting universal entitlement to winter fuel payments in September last year, with only those on Pension Credit or other benefits eligible. | Reeves was heavily criticised for cutting universal entitlement to winter fuel payments in September last year, with only those on Pension Credit or other benefits eligible. |
| The Scottish government was due to take over responsibility for winter fuel payments in September - but the introduction of a new universal benefit was delayed after the UK government decision. | The Scottish government was due to take over responsibility for winter fuel payments in September - but the introduction of a new universal benefit was delayed after the UK government decision. |
| The Scottish government later committed to launching its own winter fuel payment by late 2025. | The Scottish government later committed to launching its own winter fuel payment by late 2025. |
| Under the plan, all households with a person over state pension age would receive an automatic £100 payment. | Under the plan, all households with a person over state pension age would receive an automatic £100 payment. |
| The UK government has U-turned on plans to cut the winter fuel payment | The UK government has U-turned on plans to cut the winter fuel payment |
| That is to increase to £203 for those under the age of 80 on pension credits, and to £305 for those older than 80. | That is to increase to £203 for those under the age of 80 on pension credits, and to £305 for those older than 80. |
| It also includes an "opt-out" system for pensioners who are better off, meaning they can return the payment to the Scottish government or donate it to charity if they feel it is unnecessary. | It also includes an "opt-out" system for pensioners who are better off, meaning they can return the payment to the Scottish government or donate it to charity if they feel it is unnecessary. |
| During his speech, Swinney spoke about changes needed to make "fundamental change" in how public services are delivered. | During his speech, Swinney spoke about changes needed to make "fundamental change" in how public services are delivered. |
| The first minister acknowledged Scotland's public services "strain at the seams". | The first minister acknowledged Scotland's public services "strain at the seams". |
| Swinney said that there had to be "fundamental change" in how services are delivered, and called for more focus on prevention and early intervention. | Swinney said that there had to be "fundamental change" in how services are delivered, and called for more focus on prevention and early intervention. |
| He said there would be increased use of technology and AI, and that ministers Ivan McKee and Richard Lochhead would lead on the project of "national renewal". | He said there would be increased use of technology and AI, and that ministers Ivan McKee and Richard Lochhead would lead on the project of "national renewal". |
| Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "The truth is the SNP has had almost two decades to fix the challenges our country faces and it has failed to do so. | |
| "This is a government that is flat out of ideas and quickly running out of time." |