The SNP Urges Pensioners to Check their Pension Credit Eligibility
The Labour UK government’s decision to means test the Winter Fuel Payment without any consultation will result in many pensioners across Angus left unable to access the equivalent support in Scotland.
The austerity driven decision by the Labour Party directly resulted in an estimated £160m of funding being wiped from the Scottish Government’s budget – undermining the devolution settlement and leaving no choice but to replicate the policy in Scotland.
When the same measure was considered by the Tories last year, the Labour Party strongly opposed it saying “pensioners mustn’t be forced to bear the brunt of Tory economic failure” – yet now they are the ones imposing it on people in Scotland.
The UK already has one of the worst pension rates in North West Europe, lagging behind countries such as France and Spain and providing just enough for pensioners to break even when the cost of living is accounted for.
Graeme is strongly encouraging people to check whether they are eligible for pension credits in order to ensure that they still have access to the Winter Fuel Payment.
The decision by the Labour UK government to means test the Winter Fuel Payment ensures that pensioners in Angus will face the brunt of Westminster economic chaos.
GRAEME
This decision, made in Westminster, has resulted in the Scottish Government’s budget being cut by an estimated £160m – as Labour picks up where the Tories left by driving a coach and horse through the devolution settlement.
I am strongly encouraging pensioners in Angus to check if they are eligible for pension credit to ensure that if they are they will still receive the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment that they are entitled to.
