Almost 60% of pensioners in Scotland say they will heat their homes less due to the withdrawal of the winter fuel payment, according to a new poll.

The survey also found that 39% said they would cut back on other essentials, while 59% said they would take other measures to save money to make up for the benefit ending for most older people.

The findings come in a poll commissioned by the Lib Dems who are calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to urgently rethink the cuts that analysis has said will affect around 11 million people in the UK.

Lib Dems MPs will join the SNP to vote against the cut when it is debated in the Commons on Tuesday.

Starmer is also facing a backbench rebellion with around 60 Labour MPs reportedly considering not supporting the government's plan to means test the benefit.

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Lib Dem poll showed that 86% of pensioners in Scotland are expected to be affected by the UK Government’s cut to winter fuel allowance payments with 58% saying said they would likely be heating their homes less this winter.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that the annual payout in England and Wales would be restricted to those on pension credit or certain other benefits as part of her plan to tackle a £22 billion black hole.

The policy is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving around £1.4 billion this year.

Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville then confirmed in August that the new devolved pension age winter heating payment — set to replace winter fuel payments in Scotland — would also be restricted to those receiving pension credit, ending universal entitlement for 900,000 Scots pensioners.

Scottish ministers argued they had been left with no choice but to follow the UK Government's decision on means testing as the funding coming to the Scottish Government for the payments had now been cut by up to £160m.

An analysis by older people's charity Age Scotland last month estimated 270,000 Scots pensioners already living in energy poverty would be plunged into further misery by having their benefit scrapped.

Lib Dem Scottish affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: “The government should do the right thing and change course on this. The decision to cut the winter fuel allowance will put untold stress on pensioners across Scotland, with many feeling they have to endure the cold this winter and cut back on basic spending.

“While we understand the dire state the Conservatives left the public finances, now is not the time to be cutting support to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“We cannot stand by and allow millions of pensioners to endure another winter in a cost of living crisis. Liberal Democrats will be voting against the government’s cut.”

The Lib Dems commissioned polling company Savanta to do the survey in which researchers interviewing 2,243 UK adults aged 18+ online on August 30 to September 1 2024. 

A UK Government spokesperson said: “The £22 billion black hole in the public finances the UK Government inherited from the previous administration has required us to take difficult decisions.

“The UK Government has protected the poorest pensioners by ensuring people on pension credit or certain other income-related benefits will continue to receive the payment. 

“We are working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure eligible pensioners continue to receive support."

Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that previous Labour research found that cutting the winter fuel could cause 4000 deaths across the UK.

"24 hours ahead of the vote on the UK Labour's government damaging decision to cut the winter fuel allowance, it is clearer than ever that this Labour cut is a political choice and it's the wrong choice," said SNP MP Dave Doogan, the party's energy spokesman at Westminster.

"The Labour party's own research told them that cutting the winter fuel allowance will be devastating for pensioners. Only two months ago when they were in opposition, the Labour party presumably believed their own research, so the question is why that has suddenly changed now that they have their feet under government desks?

"In the next 24 hours, Scottish Labour MPs will have to choose if they will stand up for Scotland and our pensioners or if they will simply serve Keir Starmer."

He added: "This is not the 'change' people in Scotland were promised - and it breaks the personal pledge Anas Sarwar made to voters during the election: "Read my lips: no austerity under Labour".
"860,000 Scottish pensioners are relying on them to do the right thing tomorrow by voting to stop this Labour government cut".

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The UK Government’s decision to restrict eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments is extremely disappointing and left the Scottish Government with no choice but to follow the UK Government and restrict eligibility for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

“We are taking action to support older people and tackle poverty, including investment in our Council Tax Reduction Scheme and free bus travel for all older people over the age of 60 in Scotland. We continue to call on the UK Government to introduce a social tariff as a means of targeted support for those who need it the most.”