The Scottish National Party (SNP) has accused the UK Labour government of harming both Scottish pensioners and the NHS by cutting the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP). The SNP argues that the means-tested benefit change will lead to increased healthcare costs due to pensioners living in cold and damp conditions.
The SNP has claimed a cut to the Winter Fuel Payment will end up costing NHS Scotland £85 million over the next five years.
This is due to treating pensioners who are living in cold and damp conditions. It adds up to £845m over the parliament. SNP health spokesperson Seamus Logan said: “When Labour took an axe to the Winter Fuel Payment, they served up a harsh winter for 880,000 Scottish pensioners, but now we know they’ve dealt a blow to our NHS too with new figures showing it could cost our NHS in Scotland up to £85m.
“This £85m hit to our NHS is on top of Westminster’s 9% cut to our health service already, but it shouldn’t be our NHS and our pensioners that feel the impact of Labour’s skewed priorities – that’s why the SNP will put Scotland’s interests first at ever turn and oppose Labour’s cuts to the heating allowances of nearly 900,000 Scottish pensioners.”
Around 900,000 older Scots will miss out due to the WFP becoming means-tested. Most of those who are still eligible for the payment receive Pension Credit.It comes as energy bills increased by 10 per cent earlier this week when the price cap went up. This means that people using an average amount of gas and electricity will pay £1,717 a year adding £149 onto the average household bill.
“Another concern is that those who are most financially squeezed by the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment along with a 10% increase in energy prices, choose to eat fewer hot meals, which is also damaging to their health and wellbeing.
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