Sarwar: Labour has faced teething problems in Government

His comments come ahead of a Holyrood debate led by the SNP Scottish Government calling for the cut to be reversed.

Only those on Pension Credit or similar benefits will be eligible, meaning around 11 million people across the UK could miss out, as the Chancellor attempts to plug a £2 billion black hole in the country's finances.

The Scottish Government followed suit on its devolved payment, arguing ministers had been left by no choice following the decisions in Westminster.

Sir Keir Starmer will mark 100 days in government on Saturday October 12, but his leadership has already been marred with criticism over the cuts and details of gifts accepted by senior Labour politicians, including the Prime Minister.

Mr Sarwar refused to say whether he was proud of how the UK Government had performed in its first 100 days when asked by journalists.

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However, he instead said: "As a former dentist, let's call it teething problems.

"It's been a challenge. If you look at actually the decisions this government has been making I accept that the challenge around the winter fuel payment is one that's taken a lot of attention."

However, he said there was plenty of evidence the UK Labour Government was "serious" about the job, including progressing with Great British Energy, which will be headquartered in Aberdeen, and introducing legislation on a new deal for working people.

The latter is due to be introduced in Parliament this week.

"All of that demonstrates a government that is getting straight to work, that is serious about doing the job."

But he was also asked if he would criticise the Chancellor's decision to cut the winter fuel payment after his party prepares to argue that the Scottish Government should reverse the cut in Holyrood.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves. (Image: PA) He said: "Rachel herself has said that this is a decision she didn't want to make. She accepts it is a difficult decision. She wishes she wasn't having to make the decision but made the decision because of the economic carnage and the inheritance left by the Conservatives.

"And look I can understand the SNP ruling against the decision by the UK Labour Government.

"What I don't understand is why they are not calling out the Conservatives economic record and the carnage they left behind."

In the Holyrood debate on poverty this afternoon, Mr Sarwar is set to argue the Scottish Government should use an estimated additional £41 million in Barnett consequentials to reverse the cut to the Fuel Insecurity Fund - the devolved version of the winter fuel payment.

He told journalists in Shotts that he had "sympathy" with critics who believed the UK Government's Pension Credit criteria was "too narrow".

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"And that's why the fact that the winter fuel payment is actually a devolved benefit this year, I think we have an opportunity to do it differently," he said.

"I accept the SNP criticism that they don’t have the ability to do a universal payment because what they were expecting as a consequential from a universal winter fuel payment is not what they now expect.

“But what they’re failing to accept is actually they have received £41 million in unexpected consequentials from the extension of the Housing Support Fund which they have just put into the general budget.”

That decision, he said, could support more than 200,000 Scottish households with a winter payment.

Derek Thomson, Scottish regional secretary of Unite, told the Daily Record the cut was "shameful", adding Scottish Labour were "culpable" in the decision.

He said: "People are really struggling and public services are on their knees. Have Labour let themselves down? Yes. Some people say to me, it's not Scottish Labour's fault over what's happened.

"Well, Scottish Labour stood on the coat tails of the UK Government at the general election."

He added: "In my view, they are just as culpable as UK Labour."

The Holyrood debate on Tuesday afternoon will see Scotland's Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville argue the Chancellor's "abrupt decision" to means test the winter fuel allowance has "robbed millions of pensioners".

Ahead of that debate, she has urged MSPs to unite against the UK Government's decision and calls for the payment to be restored.

She said: “Labour’s abrupt decision to bring in means-testing for the winter fuel payment has robbed millions of pensioners of hundreds of pounds at the very time that energy bills are set to rise by an average of £150 a year.

“Today in parliament, as we mark Challenge Poverty Week, I call on MSPs from across the chamber to unite and demand that the UK Government reverse this callous decision and restore the Winter Fuel Payment to all our pensioners.

“As we head toward what will be another difficult winter for many pensioners, this is less of a party political issue and more a national priority."

The UK Government has said it is "committed" to supporting pensioners, with millions expected to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700.

On the winter fuel payment, the government said "over a million pensioners will still receive" the benefit.