Latest news

Anger at decision to omit winter fuel decision from budget statement

The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, has hit out at Chancellor Rachel Reeves and her shameful omission of any mention of the Winter Fuel Allowance in today’s Budget Statement.

Rose Jackson, SPF Chair stated:

“This was supposed to be a budget for change and progression but there was nothing new from where we are sitting.

“Whilst the retention of the triple lock and a 4.1% increase in state pension from April 2025 are welcome, this won’t help to heat older people’s homes this winter.

“Applications for pension credit have gone through the roof with people losing out by a few pounds per month and even then having to wait in excess of six months for a decision. How is that going to help older people during a bitterly cold winter?

“The Chancellor has displayed a ‘burying her head in the sand’ mentality today by ignoring the demands of older people’s organisations and trade unions alike. Just because she hasn’t mentioned the winter fuel allowance, it doesn’t mean that these demands can be ignored.

“What the Chancellor should have done today is shown strength of character, admit that she had got it wrong and revoked her dreadful decision on the means testing of the winter fuel allowance but what she has done instead has shown nothing but extreme cowardice by not even mentioning it in order to avoid questions over the consequences of her actions.

“It is absolutely shameful from this Labour Government when so many older people expected more”

30th October 2024