Wed, 18 Jun 2025

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 Scotland to recover winter fuel payment from better-off pensioners

Minister will seek to recover funds from pensioners earning more than £35,000 - matching a move by the UK government.

* The Scottish government has decided to no longer offer a universal winter fuel payment for pensioners, instead seeking to recover funds from those earning over £35,000 through the tax system.
* Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said this was done to target support at those most in need and ensure payments are not given to millionaires.
* The Scottish government will continue to offer a payment of either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age, but with the tax recovery measure in place for higher-income pensioners.
* Around 720,000 people are expected to be eligible for the funding, and those receiving it in Scotland will be better off than their counterparts in the rest of the UK due to uprated payments by inflation.
* The Scottish government had previously delayed plans for its pension age winter heating payment after the UK's cut was announced.
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