SCOTTISH pensioners are set to be better off than their counterparts in the rest of the UK after ministers confirmed changes to the devolved Winter Fuel Payment.
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.
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 for those earning less than £35,000 on the back of the latest UK Government U-turn.
What the change does mean is that Scotland's payment will now not be offered on a universal basis. The Scottish Government said it would seek to recover funds via the tax system from pensioners earning more than £35,000.
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.
“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.
“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.
