Unite will hold a demonstration outside Holyrood today as part of the union’s ongoing campaign to reverse the cut in the winter fuel payment for all but the poorest pensioners. 

General secretary Sharon Graham welcomed measures unveiled by Scottish ministers last week for a new benefit of £100 to all pensioners and up to £300 for the poorest but said the action was not enough with most not receiving any money this winter.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that from this winter households in England and Wales will no longer be entitled to the winter fuel payment of either £200 or £300 depending o their age unless they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits.

The measure was part of a package announced by the Labour government aimed at tackling a £22 billion black hole in public finances and is expected to save around £1.3bn in 2024/25 and £1.5bn in subsequent years.

READ MORE: 

Initially, Scottish ministers said the change left them with a £160m funding shortfall for their own equivalent devolved benefit and had little choice but to follow suit. 

Scottish Labour said last month it would bring back some form of the benefit if it won the Holyrood election in 2026.

Then last Thursday Scottish social justice secretary Shirley Anne Somerville said the benefit would be partially restored from next year with all pensioner households receiving £100, and those poorest receiving £200 or £300, depending on their age.

Stormont has brought in a new scheme which will mean pensioner households in Northern Ireland get payments of £100 this year.

Ms Graham will be joined at the rally this afternoon by Scottish pensioners affected by the cut.

“Scottish pensioners are facing winter right now. They must not be left to freeze just because the UK government has picked their pockets," she said.

"The Scottish government and Scottish Labour have been listening and we welcome steps to restore the cuts next year but jam tomorrow won’t keep pensioners’ homes warm this winter.

"Unite’s campaign has now seen some positive moves in both Scotland and Northern Ireland but that is not enough. We will not stop until the the winter fuel payment is restored across the UK."

In Scotland, a retired couple Peter and Florence Fanning, from Coatbridge, have applied to the Court of Session for a judicial review over the decision to cut the winter fuel payment, a move echoed by Unite in the High Court relating to England and Wales.

The legal moves could place further pressure on the UK government to reverse its policy.