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Scotland to recover winter fuel payment from better-off pensioners Scotland to recover winter fuel payment from better-off OAPs
(30 minutes later)
All pensioners with an income of less than £35,000 will qualify for the paymentAll pensioners with an income of less than £35,000 will qualify for the payment
The Scottish government says it will no longer offer its new winter fuel payment for pensioners on a universal basis.The Scottish government says it will no longer offer its new winter fuel payment for pensioners on a universal basis.
It said it would seek to recover funds via the tax system from pensioners earning more than £35,000 - matching the system announced by the UK government. It said it would seek to recover funds via the tax system from pensioners earning more than £35,000 - matching a move by the UK government.
Scottish ministers had set out plans for a payment slightly more generous than that on offer from the UK, by £3 to £5 per household.Scottish ministers had set out plans for a payment slightly more generous than that on offer from the UK, by £3 to £5 per household.
However, they faced criticism as payments would go to all pensioners - potentially including millionaires - rather than being targeted at those most in need.However, they faced criticism as payments would go to all pensioners - potentially including millionaires - rather than being targeted at those most in need.
Talks are now taking place with the UK government to match the system south of the border. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said that "following careful consideration of the options available" talks were taking place to match the UK system.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said those receiving the payment in Scotland would be better off than their counterparts in the rest of the UK. She said: "We will bring forward regulations to ensure that, from this winter onwards, all pensioners will receive either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age.
She said pensioner households with no-one aged 80 or over would receive £203.40.
This will rise to £305.10 for households with someone aged 80 or over.
Around 720,000 people are expected to be eligible for the funding.
The Westminster government faced continual calls to reverse their original decision
Somerville said the UK government announcement last week was a "welcome, if belated" move following what she called a "a betrayal of millions of pensioners" in 2024.
She added: "Following careful consideration of the options available, the Scottish government will mirror the approach taken by the UK government.
"We will bring forward regulations to ensure that, from this winter onwards, all pensioners will receive either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age.
"We are in discussion with the UK government to extend the proposed arrangements in England and Wales to recover payments from those pensioners with an individual income of more than £35,000 through the tax system.""We are in discussion with the UK government to extend the proposed arrangements in England and Wales to recover payments from those pensioners with an individual income of more than £35,000 through the tax system."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week confirmed the payment would be reinstated to the majority of pensioners in England, following months of anger and protest over changes implemented last year. Campaigners urged the UK government to reverse their original decision
The Scottish government delayed plans for the pension age winter heating payment after the initial Westminster cut was announced. Somerville said those receiving the payment in Scotland would be better off than their counterparts in the rest of the UK.
Around 720,000 people are expected to be eligible for the funding.
UK chancellor Rachel Reeves last week confirmed the payment would be reinstated to the majority of pensioners in England, following months of anger and protest over changes implemented last year.
Somerville said this was a "welcome, if belated" move following a "betrayal of millions of pensioners" in 2024.
The Scottish government had delayed plans for its pension age winter heating payment after the Westminster cut was announced.
But in November it announced pensioners would receive at least £100 every year.But in November it announced pensioners would receive at least £100 every year.
Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish government had carefully considered all optionsShirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish government had carefully considered all options
The social justice secretary said the payment would be recovered automatically, meaning no-one affected would need to register with HMRC. Somerville had said earlier this month that it was "important to have a universal system" for the payment.
She claimed this would ensure people most in need would receive a higher level of support.
Somerville had said earlier in June that it was "important to have a universal system" for the payment.
The Scottish Conservatives said the decision to not make the payment universal was a "slap in the face" to pensioners.The Scottish Conservatives said the decision to not make the payment universal was a "slap in the face" to pensioners.
Social security spokeswoman Liz Smith said: "This constant chopping and changing by SNP ministers is causing more needless anxiety for Scottish pensioners.Social security spokeswoman Liz Smith said: "This constant chopping and changing by SNP ministers is causing more needless anxiety for Scottish pensioners.
"This latest announcement means that hundreds of thousands of Scots will not have the payment even partially restored – despite John Swinney's promise that they would."This latest announcement means that hundreds of thousands of Scots will not have the payment even partially restored – despite John Swinney's promise that they would.
"This latest slap in the face will not be forgotten or forgiven by the pensioners affected.""This latest slap in the face will not be forgotten or forgiven by the pensioners affected."