Age Scotland respond to Winter Fuel Payment vote

Age Scotland's policy director, Adam Stachura said:

"This winter is going to be brutal for hundreds of thousands of Scottish pensioners on low incomes or living in fuel poverty who now face higher energy bills without the vital Winter Fuel Payment which they relied on.

"We can't quite believe the UK Government has so doggedly pursued a policy which will make so many pensioners even poorer. By choosing a level for support so low that only 12% of pensioners are guaranteed to keep their Winter Fuel Payment and rushing it through so close to winter that huge numbers, who have no financial wriggle room, can’t possibly prepare is quite frankly disastrous. 

“Pensioners on low incomes, who are disabled, in poor health, are unpaid carers, women, or from working class backgrounds are among those particularly affected by this devastating cut. The UK Government have offered nothing to help them if they are just above the line for Pension Credit.

"You cannot possibly believe that someone whose income is £13,000 a year can bear the weight of the UK Government's flawed decision.

“The really difficult choices will now have to be made in countless homes across the country this winter.”

Visit our campaign page for full details: www.age.scot/SaveWFP.