HOLYROOD has voted overwhelmingly that the UK Government should reverse its cut to the Winter Fuel Payment.
MSPs voted by 99 to just 14 to oppose the Labour Government's decision to make the payments means-tested for the first time, meaning millions of pensioners across the UK will no longer be eligible.
All of the MSPs to oppose the motion tabled by First Minister John Swinney came from Scottish Labour.
However, two Scottish Labour MSPs, Alex Rowley and former party leader Richard Leonard, rebelled and backed the SNP motion calling on the UK Government to reverse the cuts.
I voted to keep the pensioners’ winter fuel allowance. No return to austerity. Tax wealth instead. pic.twitter.com/6kxZUnM97K
— Richard Leonard (@LabourRichard) October 8, 2024
Following the vote, Leonard said on X/Twitter:
"I voted to keep the pensioners’ winter fuel allowance.
"No return to austerity. Tax wealth instead."
An amendment tabled by Scottish Labour group leader Anas Sarwar looking to amend Swinney’s motion fell by 96 votes to 16. Leonard and Rowley had both backed Sarwar's motion.
A second amendment from Scottish Tory group leader Russell Findlay was also defeated, by 86 votes to 26.
SNP MSP Clare Haughey said: "Today, Anas Sarwar made his choice – it is more important for him to lie down for Sir Keir Starmer than stand up for vulnerable pensioners in Scotland.
"This shameful move today shows just how weak Anas Sarwar is – the people of Scotland will see right through him and his desperate attempts to justify cruel cuts being made by Labour in Westminster.
"All Labour in Scotland offer is a rubber stamping of damaging decisions made in Westminster – only the SNP is focused on standing up for the people of Scotland and supporting those who need it most."
He said the Scottish Government is “working urgently to mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s damaging decision”, telling MSPs he has written to councils seeking their “urgent assistance” in encouraging more older people to claim pension credit – thus allowing them to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.
The First Minister said his Government is spending a record £6.1 billion on benefits north of the Border, but he told MSPs it “cannot continue to backfill UK austerity policy decisions”.
The Scottish Conservatives backed the Scottish Government’s motion for the introduction of means-testing for the Winter Fuel Payment to be reversed.
Leader Findlay said it is “shocking” that Labour have failed to carry out any assessment of the impact the change will have.
Adding that “anger at Labour across the country is palpable” as a result of the decision, he said: “Elderly folk who have slogged hard all their days feel absolutely betrayed.
“The removal of this payment is the wrong way to go about introducing any form of means-testing.
“Any change of this nature should have been done much more fairly and respectfully, and with a sufficient period of notice.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told MSPs in the debate that the UK Government does not want to cut the winter fuel payment.
He added: “[The UK Government] are not responsible for the chaos and damage inherited from the Tories.
“Why the SNP of all people want to minimise the damage the Tories have done is for them to explain.
“So I repeat, the decision of the Winter Fuel Payment is not a decision that the Chancellor wanted to make.”
He further urged the Scottish Government to use £41 million in Barnett consequentials to restart the fuel insecurity fund.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1700 this Parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.
“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152% increase in claims.
“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter, while our extension of the household support fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”
