Sarwar hit by Labour MSP rebellion over winter fuel cuts

He marks his 100 days in office on Saturday but his tenure has been rocked by backlash over the cuts to winter fuel payments and donation revelations involving senior Labour MPs, including the Prime Minister.

However, the challenges got worse as senior party figures in Scotland sided with a SNP motion urging the UK Government to U-turn on means-testing winter fuel payments to pensioners in receipt of specific benefits.

MSPs voted by 99 votes to 14 in favour of John Swinney's motion after the First Minister said the cut alongside the rise in the energy price cap represented a "double whammy" for pensioners.

A breakdown of the votes showed Central Scotland MSP  Richard Leonard - Mr Sarwar's predecessor - and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley rebelled against Scottish Labour.

Justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill, community safety spokeswoman Katy Clark skipped the vote, alongside Carol Mochan, Rhoda Grant and Monica Lennon.

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What is the Winter Fuel Payment and why is it under threat?

Not all Scottish Labour MSPs backed the Labour amendment in Holyrood urging the Scottish Government to use an estimated £41 million in Barnett consequentials to support pensioners.

The Scottish Government replicated the UK Government decision to means test the devolved winter fuel allowance, arguing it had been left with no choice.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that only those on Pension Credit or similar benefits will be eligible with around 11 million people across the UK, including 900,000 in Scotland, missing out.

Mr Sarwar defended the choice in Holyrood on Tuesday, arguing the Chancellor had to plug a £2 billion black hole left by the previous administration.

But he argued the Pension Credit criteria set by the UK Government was "too tight".

However, Mr Swinney said the Scottish Government was spending £6.1 billion on benefits north of the border but said it "cannot continue to backfill UK austerity policy decisions".

First Minister John Swinney. (Image: PA) Mr Swinney said: “Reversing this decision on the winter fuel payment will be a vital step in ensuring our citizens can afford to live in warm homes.”

While he accepted the “budgetary challenges” that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves are facing are “severe”, Mr Swinney said: “It is a mistake to think benefits, action to tackle poverty and other supports for our most vulnerable are costs to be curtailed.

“Rather, these measures are investments in our people, our communities and our nation’s future.”

The Scottish Tories backed the SNP motion but its own amendment calling for the Scottish Government to be held accountable fell.

Leader Russell Findlay said it was “shocking” that Labour has failed to carry out any assessment of the impact the change will have.

“In the depths of a long, cold Scottish winter, we know that the winter fuel payments can be the difference between heating and eating,” he said.

He added that "anger at Labour across the country is palpable".

Speaking in the Holyrood debate, Mr Sarwar said: "I know the opposition will want to blame a government that has been in power for a few months for the issues we face.

“But let’s not ignore the root cause – a morally bankrupt and economically illiterate Tory government that has been let off the hook by far too many opposition parties.

“But also the SNP can’t avoid taking responsibility for their own decisions in devolved areas over the last 17 years because we all have a duty to challenge poverty.”

He added: “But they are not responsible for the chaos and damage inherited from the Tories, and why the SNP of all people want to minimise the damage the SNP has done is for them to explain.”

He said: “I have always said the criteria support based on pension credit is too tight and I continue to make that case.”

Prior to the debate Mr Sarwar refused to answer journalists in Shotts on whether he was proud of how the UK Government had done in just under 100 days in office.

Instead, he said: “As a former dentist, let’s call it teething problems.

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

Mr Sarwar argued the Scottish Government had the opportunity to use its devolved power to "do it differently".

Earlier, Derek Thomson, regional Scottish secretary of Unite, told the Daily Record that Scottish Labour were "culpable" in the Chancellor's 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 Scottish Labour leader said told the Scottish Government that using the £41 million of additional funding from the UK Government could support around 200,000 Scottish pensioners with the £200 winter payment.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this Parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152% increase in claims.

“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter, while our extension of the household support fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”

Both the UK and Scottish Governments face could face a legal challenge over the cuts to winter fuel payments after a Coatbridge couple - Peter and Florence Fanning - lodged proceedings for a judicial review with the Court of Session in Edinburgh.