Scotland scraps universal winter fuel payment and prepares for more cuts

Shona Robison said the UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, could not ‘make £22bn of cuts without consequences’. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA

Scottish ministers have scrapped a universal winter fuel payment and are preparing deep cuts in other spending after the UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, warned of a £22bn black hole.

Shona Robison, Scotland’s finance secretary, accused the UK government of preparing for austerity by stealth after she ordered civil servants to rein back on all non-essential spending.