Anas Sarwar has insisted Scottish Labour will continue to take a “different approach” to the UK party on a “whole host of issues”.
The MSP spoke out today after announcing he would reverse the UK Government’s cut to the Winter Fuel Payment if becomes First Minister at the next Holyrood election in 2026.
The decision by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to make the benefit means-tested has provoked a backlash from the SNP and the Tories, and is blamed by some in Labour for a drop in support at the polls.
Sarwar has sought to seize the initiative on the issue by claiming the Winter Fuel Payment will be made universal again in Scotland if his party can win power in 18 months’ time.
Power over the benefit was due to be devolved to the Scottish Government but it was delayed by SNP ministers following Reeves’ decision to make it means-tested.
Asked by the Record if Scottish Labour would continue to distance itself from the party in London ahead of the 2026 election, Sarwar said: “I’ve always been clear that we will take a different approach if we think it’s appropriate in Scotland.
“We took a different approach, for example, on how we supported our trade union movement on picket lines. And we have a different view on the threshold of this payment.
“We also have different views on a whole host of devolved areas of policies. That’s what devolution is designed to do.
“This is not about replication of what happens somewhere else, it automatically has to happen here. It’s about recognition that Scottish powers, Scottish resources, and Scottish talent can be used to find Scottish solutions.”
Asked if the decision to reverse the fuel payment cut was a sign Labour was panicking about its election chances, Sarwar added: “I think if anyone should be panicking it should be the SNP. They’ve lost 12 by-elections in a row.
“Their vote continues to fall in communities across the country. And there continues to be a swing to Labour right across the country.
“What this is about is recognising we have to find a Scottish solution to this problem. I fully understand and agree the pension threshold is too low. It’s why I’ve been arguing for an alternative approach for months”.
Under the plans, all pensioners would receive the payment initially, but it would be tapered over the years to reflect the income of recipients, with those who are better off receiving less in the longer term.
Sarwar said: “A Scottish Labour government will reinstate the winter fuel payment for pensioners in Scotland.
“The winter fuel payment was supposed to be a devolved benefit this year and there were additional resources available to the Scottish Government through the household support fund.
“That meant we could have taken a different approach in Scotland to support more households this year – instead, the SNP decided to hand the power back to the DWP”.
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