SCOTTISH Labour’s proposals for a replacement to the Winter Fuel Payment have been rejected in a Holyrood vote.
The SNP have a rival plan which would replace the universal benefit, scrapped by Labour in Westminster, set to be included in the Budget this week.
Scottish Labour introduced amendments to the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill – in a bid to put pressure on the SNP on the issue.
But the SNP subsequently announced they would push ahead with their own scheme, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, next year after its future initially appeared uncertain.
It means they will accuse Scottish Labour of voting against the benefit three times, if they fail to back Wednesday’s Budget, while Anas Sarwar’s troops will accuse the SNP of rejecting their replacement scheme.
Amendments to introduce the Scottish scheme was defeated in Holyrood on Tuesday, with MSPs voting against the first by 51 votes to 60. The second was defeated by 50 votes to 67.
Scottish Labour have accused the SNP of playing "petty politics" by refusing to back their amendments.
Paul O'Kane, the party's social security spokesperson, said: "This vote was a chance for the SNP Government to put its own stated policy on legal footing, but it refused."
The SNP's plans will go to a vote when Finance Secretary unveils the Budget on Wednesday.
