Fabiani calls for OAP fuel payment rise
Linda Fabiani
Linda Fabiani MSP is calling for a rise in Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) for pensioners so they feel safe in the knowledge that they can afford to heat their homes.
New research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has revealed the UK Government’s freeze on the basic payment level by both Labour and Tory governments resulted in the value dropping by 24.6 per cent between 2000-2001 and 2012-2013.
East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani, who is a member of the Smith Commission for further devolution, said Westminster must now make a commitment to transfer the powers over the WFA at once or commit to ensuring it keeps pace with the cost of living by increasing it in line with inflation.
Ms Fabiani said:“This is just the latest example of Westminster’s sustained attack on the poor — and this time it is Scotland’s poorer pensioners who are the victims of Tory and Labour neglect.
“Many pensioners in Scotland live on small and modest earnings, the winter fuel allowance is a vital payment and it exists to try and make sure they don’t have to choose between paying for groceries or heating.
“Energy bills have increased by over 44 per cent since 2000-2001 and if winter fuel allowance had increased by inflation since 2000-2001, pensioners would be £76 better off in 2015.
“The transfer of control of the winter fuel allowance – as recommended by the Smith Commission – is welcome but without any clear timetabling of when this will happen we need immediate action to make sure not one pensioner in Scotland is afraid to put their heating on this winter.”