SCOTTISH Labour have pledged to bring back a Winter Fuel Payment should they win the next Holyrood election.
It means that Anas Sarwar would reverse a cut made by his own Labour Government, which he previously defended.
After Chancellor Rachel Reeves ended the universal Winter Fuel Payment in July, Sarwar framed it as an "opportunity" for Scotland to make the benefit means-tested.
And in October, Sarwar had his group of MSPs vote against a Holyrood motion calling on the UK Government to reverse its cuts to the payments.
Amid concerns that the policy was hurting Scottish Labour on the doorsteps, Sarwar on Tuesday announced a major U-turn and said his party would reintroduce the Winter Fuel Payment.
It is understood that Scottish Labour plan to bring back a universal Winter Fuel Payment, which will then be tapered according to income with future changes. The plan is that every pensioner will still receive a payment, although for the wealthy this will be tokenistic.
The Scottish Labour announcement comes days ahead of three council by-elections in Glasgow, where they will be defending all three seats.
Sarwar said: “A Scottish Labour government will reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners in Scotland.
“The Winter Fuel Payment was supposed to be a devolved benefit this year and there were additional resources available to the Scottish Government through the Household Support Fund.”
Sarwar added: “Scottish Labour will take back this devolved power from the DWP, reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment, and deliver a fairer system to ensure that everyone who needs support gets it.
“A UK Labour Government is clearing up the mess left by a chaotic Tory government – here in Scotland, people are demanding a new direction and in 2026 we have the opportunity to deliver it with a Scottish Labour government.”
Following the UK Government’s move, the Scottish Government said it was left with “no choice” but to also end universal fuel payments north of the Border.
Under plans from Reeves, the Winter Fuel Payment will be linked to Pension Credit, meaning up to 900,000 Scots will lose the payment.
Sarwar has also said he believes the loss of council by-elections in Edinburgh and Dundee was largely due to the cut.
Speaking at last month’s Budget, Reeves said there would be an “additional” £3.4 billion for the Scottish Government, with Sarwar’s team believing there is enough funding to support the move.
Parties at Holyrood have been holding talks to try strike a deal to pass the devolved government’s budget, which will be presented in draft form on December 4.
