Now Reading: Cuts Push Pensioners Into Poverty
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Cuts Push Pensioners Into Poverty
SNP Call for U-Turn as Labour ‘Clueless’ About Impact
The SNP has challenged the Labour UK Government’s Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray MP, to publish a full impact assessment of the winter fuel payment cuts on Scotland.
It comes after Mr Murray admitted he was clueless as to how many Scottish pensioners will be pushed into poverty.
Responding to sustained SNP questioning in House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee, Murray said he “would challenge” the analysis published by his own government yesterday which revealed 100,000 pensioners in England and Wales could be pushed into poverty as a result of the cut.
The Secretary of State was asked “if there’s 100,000 pensioners being pushed into poverty in England and Wales – how many are being pushed into poverty in Scotland?” Mr Murray was asked to confirm that he will now go and ask his government colleagues how many pensioners in Scotland will be hit.
Shocking government stats reveal 100,000 more pensioners at risk of poverty due to #WinterFuelPayment cut!
— Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) November 20, 2024
Join us for a rally at Holyrood (12pm, Tues 3rd Dec) to demand the @GOVUK reverse this decision and reinstate the winter fuel payment for all pensioners. pic.twitter.com/Fpru6ULX4F
GRAEME
Ian Murray has demonstrated the lack of consideration given by his Labour government to pensioners in Angus and across Scotland.
He is clueless as to the damaging impact of the cut to winter fuel payments, which the UK Government itself has conceded will push 100,000 pensioners into poverty in England and Wales.
The Scottish Secretary failed to stand up for Scottish pensioners and argue against these cuts, but he must now do his job and establish the full impact in Scotland as we enter the cold winter period.
The SNP will keep up the pressure on the Labour government to reverse its reckless decision, which is taking money away from around 900,000 Scottish pensioners and some of the poorest households in Scotland.
So here is the letter admitting the government knew that means-testing winter fuel payment would put 50,000 to 100,000 pensioners into poverty pic.twitter.com/McO3hBEFuf
— Paul Lewis (@paullewismoney) November 19, 2024
