PENSIONERS in Scotland will see a universal winter fuel payment of at least £100 by St Andrew’s Day, according to First Minister John Swinney.

The Labour UK government chose to effectively introduce a means-test to pensioners’ winter fuel payment last year leading to 780,000 losing the support.

Citing knock-on effects on funding, the SNP Scottish government followed suit in its newly devolved version.

But now, less than three weeks until voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse go to the polls in a crucial Holyrood by-election, Mr Swinney has pledged to restore a minimum £100 for all pensioners from November 30, with some set to receive £200 or £300 depending on need.

Writing in the Daily Record, Mr Swinney said: “It is so inexplicable that one of the first things Starmer did when he became prime minister was to cut this vital lifeline for our pensioners.

“Older people in Scotland will receive this crucial support before we get into the worst of the winter weather and, unlike Labour, we will never abandon this vital support for our pensioners.

“That is my guarantee.”