THE Scottish government’s plans to reinstate winter fuel payments next year do not go far enough as pensioners need help with heating now, Unite said.

The Labour government’s decision to means test pensioners’ winter fuel payments had been adopted in Scotland, but Scottish Labour has since distanced itself from the policy.

Last week, the SNP Scottish government announced that from 2025-26 it would be replaced with payments of £100, £200 or £300 depending on income. 

Ahead of a Holyrood rally demanding urgent support, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned: “Scottish pensioners are facing winter right now.

“They must not be left to freeze just because the UK government has picked their pockets.

“The Scottish government and Scottish Labour have been listening and we welcome steps to restore the cuts next year, but jam tomorrow won’t keep pensioners’ homes warm this winter.

“We will not stop until the winter fuel payment is restored across the UK.”

SNP Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We have listened carefully to older people across Scotland who told us that the Labour UK government’s betrayal on the winter fuel payment was completely unacceptable and are taking action to fix the problem.”