Latest news with #PensionAgeWinterHeatingPayment
The Herald Scotland
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Swinney defends universal winter fuel payment U-turn
On Wednesday, the Scottish Government announced that only pensioners with an income of less than £35,000 would receive financial help. While those with higher incomes will still receive the payment, they will be required to repay the money via their tax return or PAYE. Age Scotland estimates that around 160,000 households will lose out. READ MORE Less well-off pensioners will receive £203.40 if they are under 80, and £305.10 if they are older — marginally higher amounts than the £200 and £300 paid in England and Wales. Asked about the decision in Holyrood on Thursday, the First Minister said: 'What we have done is we have taken an approach which reflects the system that we believe will make the greatest impact on tackling the impact of fuel costs on older people within our society. 'That has resulted in us taking the steps that we have set out to make sure that we can target and focus the resources that are available to us and to enable us to utilise the resources that are under the control of the Scottish Government as effectively as we can to meet our wider priorities within the public works.' The announcement came only weeks after Mr Swinney argued that the winter fuel payment should be restored to 'all pensioner households'. Speaking ahead of a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer on 23 May, he called for a 'national mission' to raise living standards and a 'restoration' of the benefit 'so all pensioners get a payment'. Asked about the U-turn, Mr Swinney said: 'Since then, the UK Government has changed its position, and it has set out an approach which has got financial implications for the Scottish Government, and we have responded accordingly.' READ MORE The decision to originally means-test the Winter Fuel Payment — stripping it from around 10 million better-off pensioners — was one of the new Labour Government's first and most controversial policies. At the time, Chancellor Rachel Reeves justified it as a necessary 'hard choice' to save about £1.5 billion a year. With the Winter Fuel Payment being devolved, that prompted the Scottish Government to announce its own benefit, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Those on certain means-tested benefits were due to receive £200, or £300 for over-80s, while all other pensioner households would receive a flat £100. Last week, the Chancellor confirmed that around three-quarters of pensioners in England and Wales — those on incomes up to £35,000 — would again receive a payment of £200, or £300 if they are over 80, from this winter. The U-turn by the Treasury meant that thousands of Scottish pensioner households not on Pension Credit but with a modest income were in line for just £100 — whereas if they lived in England or Wales, they would get £200 or £300 if over 80. In a speech on Monday, the First Minister confirmed the Scottish Government's benefit would at least match that proposed by the UK Government.
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Warm Home Discount Scheme to expand and pay six million people £150 this winter
A further 240,000 households in Scotland will receive the energy bill boost this winter. Millions of households will see their energy bills cut by £150 this winter, as the UK Government delivers another major package of support to ease the cost of living for working families through the Plan for Change. Over 6 million households will benefit this year - an increase of 2.7m households, including 900,000 more families with children and a total of 1.8m households in fuel poverty. Every billpayer on means-tested benefits will now qualify, removing restrictions that previously excluded many who needed help and providing peace of mind to millions more families. The move will see 240,000 Scottish households receive the discount for the first time this winter. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the major expansion of support for working families is the latest in a raft of cost of living support made possible because the UK Government has stabilised the economy, fixed the foundations and repaired the public finances - deliberate choices which are helping provide security and more money in the pockets of working families through the Plan for Change. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "I know families are still struggling with the cost of living, and I know the fear that comes with not being able to afford your next bill. "Providing security and peace of mind for working people is deeply personal to me as Prime Minister and foundational for the Plan for Change. I have no doubt that, like rolling out free school meals, breakfast clubs and childcare support, extending this £150 energy bills support to millions more families will make a real difference." Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "Millions of families will get vital support with the cost of living this coming winter, demonstrating this government's commitment to put money in people's pockets through our Plan for Change." The energy price cap is also falling in July and today's announcement adds a further £150 in direct support for millions. This expansion of the Warm Homes Discount means families can plan for winter in the knowledge that they will receive support, giving them certainty and peace of mind before summer. The UK Government said it has also protected working people's payslips from higher taxes, frozen fuel duty and are increasing the minimum wage to give pay rises of up to £1,400 a year to millions of low-income workers. Pensioners across the UK with an income below £35,000 will also receive either a Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this year, worth between £200 and £305. The expansion of the Warm Home Discount will be offset by new efficiency savings across the energy system. For example, Ofgem have confirmed a decrease in the operating cost allowance of the price cap for the average billpayer which will take money off bills. Ofgem's plans to reduce the overall stock of consumer debt, which is currently recouped via a levy on all bills, will also produce savings that help to fund the Warm Homes Discount. Adam Scorer, Chief Executive, National Energy Action said: "It's hugely positive that across Great Britain, many more low-income households on means-tested benefits will get some direct support to tackle unaffordable bills and record energy debts this winter. "Vitally, this includes many more low-income working-age households with children, who are living with the daily consequences of not having access to enough energy at home." The change will mean that all households where the means-tested benefit recipient (or their partner or legal appointee) is named on the energy bill will now be eligible to receive the £150 electricity bill rebate. It's important to be aware the money is paid directly to the energy supplier. The number of families who will receive the discount for the first time, broken down by region, include: Scotland: 240,000 Wales: 110,000 North East England: 100,000 North West England: 280,000 Yorkshire and the Humber: 210,000 East Midlands: 160,000 West Midlands: 270,000 East of England: 250,000 London: 570,000 South East England: 350,000 South West England: 220,000
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Pensioners in Scotland to be better off than rest of UK
First Minister John Swinney said earlier this week no pensioner in Scotland would receive less in their Winter Fuel Payment than they would south of the Border after Labour announced a U-turn last week that every pensioner household with an income under £35,000 would receive a payment. The UK Government said that all people born before 22 September 1959 would receive £200, and £300 if they are in a household with someone over 80. After suggesting the Scottish Government would match the payment, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has announced it is set to go further and give Scottish pensioners more money. All pensioners in Scotland with an income less than £35,000 will receive either £203.40 or £305.10, depending on their age. READ MORE: Stephen Flynn clashes with Labour MP in BBC interview: 'Don't talk over me' Around 720,000 pensioners in Scotland are expected to receive the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Following the UK Government's initial decision to cut the universal benefit, the Scottish Government delayed its plans for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, but in December it announced pensioners north of the Border would receive at least £100 every year. However, this commitment has now been increased on the back of the latest UK Government U-turn. Somerville said: 'The UK Government's decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment last winter was a betrayal of millions of pensioners, and their recent U-turn is welcome, if belated. (Image: Jane Barlow) 'Following careful consideration of the options available, the Scottish Government will mirror the approach taken by the UK Government. 'We will bring forward regulations to ensure that, from this winter onwards, all pensioners will receive either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age. 'We are in discussion with the UK Government to extend the proposed arrangements in England and Wales to recover payments from those pensioners with an individual income of more than £35,000 through the tax system. READ MORE: Watch as journalist Peter Oborne calls out BBC double standards over Gaza 'The intention is that the payment will be recovered automatically, and pensioners will not need to register with HMRC for this or take any further action. 'This approach ensures a higher level of support which those most in need will receive. Over 720,000 Scottish pensioners are estimated to benefit from the higher payment.' Somerville told the Sunday National that Scottish Secretary Ian Murray "didn't understand the system" of devolution after he attempted to defend not consulting the Scottish Government about the recent changes to the Winter Fuel Payment. He suggested Westminster would 'never' consult devolved governments on devolved policy. But Somerville said Murray "doesn't seem to understand the system", as she laid out how the Labour Government had made it "almost impossible" for the Scottish Government to know how to proceed with its own devolved winter payment.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Winter fuel payment SCRAPPED for 100,000 Scots – check if you're impacted
The new plans will see only 720,000 pensioners benefit from the increased payment NATS chiefs today scrapped the winter fuel payment for around 100,000 pensioners despite slamming Sir Keir Starmer's decision to cut the payment last year as a 'betrayal'. SNP ministers announced they would follow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and only pay the benefit to elderly people who have an income of less than £35,000. Advertisement 1 Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'This approach ensures a higher level of support" Credit: Alamy In Scotland, this will be worth £203 for those under 80, and £305 for those over 80 - slightly higher than the £200 and £300 payments in England and Wales. However, the previously planned £100 payment to all pensioners has been scrapped, leaving the richest without a winter fuel payment. The new plans will see 720,000 pensioners benefit from the increased payment, around 100,000 fewer than the 815,000 set to receive the universal payment. Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'This approach ensures a higher level of support which those most in need will receive. Advertisement 'The UK Government's decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment last winter was a betrayal of millions of pensioners, and their recent U-turn is welcome if belated.' Following the Chancellor's u-turn, all pensioners in England and Wales will now get a Winter Fuel Payment or £200 or £300 - but the cash will be clawed back via the tax system for anyone who earns over £35,000. The changes announced by Ms Reeves last week will result in further funding increases for the Scottish Government, which the First Minister said is expected to be around £120million. And Nats ministers said they would use that cash to mirror the Westminster policy for their own devolved benefit called the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Advertisement It comes after John Swinney insisted on Monday no Scottish pensioner would 'receive less than they would under the new UK scheme'. Speaking at an event on public sector reform in Glasgow, the First Minister hit out at the initial decision to cut the benefit. Fuel duty hike is double blow after Winter Fuel Payment loss, says pensioner He said: 'To be quite blunt about it, I don't believe cutting this winter lifeline was ever going to save a penny. 'Making millions of pensioners poorer makes them also colder and makes them also sicker, and that in turn puts up the bill for our social services and our NHS.' Advertisement He added: 'It's one of the reasons we were so quick to step in to protect pensioners in Scotland as best as we could from that wrong decision by the UK Government. 'But now that they've seen the error of their ways, my Government will once again do the right thing by Scotland's pensioners.'
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Full list of who is eligible for up to £305 in cash support from DWP this year
Full list of who is eligible for up to £305 in cash support from DWP this year The DWP will make these winter payments automatically, with no need for anybody to claim them. People of a certain age and with a specific income will receive cash support for winter bills (Image: Getty ) Millions of Britons are set to receive a financial boost this winter, with up to £305 on offer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Those eligible include individuals of a certain age group and with particular income levels. For the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment, the DWP has confirmed that the qualifying week will be 15-21 September, automatically benefitting those born on or before 22 September, 1959 residing in England and Wales. An estimated nine million pensioners could be in line for payments ranging from £200 to £300, aimed at easing the pressure of soaring energy costs during the colder season. Designed to aid older folk with an income under £35,000 annually, the payment is nevertheless available to higher earners – who have the option to decline the amount or reimburse it via their Self-Assessment tax return through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). There's no need for any applications; as these payments will be made automatically. As reported by the Daily Record, Scottish pensioners are set to enjoy similar benefits due to policy alterations; despite Scotland replacing the Winter Fuel Payments with the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, they won't miss out on support. Specifically, First Minister John Swinney reassured on Monday that Scots would not receive anything less than their entitlements under the current UK Government's scheme. Details about the adjustments to the Winter Fuel Payment are expected soon, with assurances from Swinney that "the Scottish Government will always seek what is best for Scotland's pensioners". The Scottish administration has pledged to give every one of Scotland's 1.1 million retirees at least £100 on St Andrew's Day, November 30. Specifically, individuals aged 66-79 claiming eligible means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, will get £203.40, while those aged 80+ on the same benefits will get £305.10. Now, all pensioner households seem likely to receive a minimum of £200. Meanwhile, the DWP has issued a warning to the elderly community to beware of potential scams. They were told to be vigilant against con artists using fake winter heating payment messages, via texts, emails, and social media. Article continues below A clear warning was issued: "If you receive a text about 'Winter Fuel Payment' it is a scam. Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything." As we await the full details on this year's Winter Fuel Payment expected by the end of June, here's an outline of what we know regarding eligibility. Eligibility To receive the Winter Fuel Payment, you must be of State Pension age during the specified week - the third week of September. For 2025/26, that means the week of 15-21 September 2025. Therefore, to qualify, you must have been born on or before 22 September 1959. Winter Fuel Payments are set at £200 per household for those aged between 66 and 79, or £300 per household where someone is aged 80 or over. Shared payments are received by pensioners not on an income-related benefit such as Pension Credit. For pensioners with an income exceeding £35,000 The payment will be reclaimed from individuals via HMRC based on their individual taxable incomes. For the majority, it will be recovered through PAYE, or in their Self-Assessment tax return for those who file and pay their taxes in this way. Article continues below The recovery process will be made as simple as possible with clear guidance provided for taxpayers. For those who wish to opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment, DWP will create a simple system to allow them to do so, eliminating the need for HMRC to reclaim the payment. Further details on this will be announced this month. For additional information, visit
