Wishaw politicians have clashed over winter fuel payments to pensioners.
It was confirmed that Scottish pensioners will receive between £100 and £300 in winter fuel payments next year after a decision by the Scottish Government.
Social Justice Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville axed Labour’s means-testing plan and replaced it with a form of universalism.
The decision comes as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar confirmed that a devolved Government led by him would reverse the Westminster policy, despite his party being in power in London.
Clare Adamson, SNP MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said: “The Labour Government cut vital support for millions of pensioners this winter. They cut funding to Scotland for this payment to the tune of £100 million.
“When challenged, Labour MPs voted to defend the cut. And Labour MSPs did the same thing only last month in the Scottish Parliament.
“Now, with no indication of how it would he would fund it, Anas Sarwar has made a miraculous u-turn. Demanding that the Scottish Government shield pensioners from cuts made by his own party.
“It is a ludicrous position which exposes the rank hypocrisy of Scottish Labour; a party which promised to stand up to Keir Starmer.
“Instead, Scottish Labour are asking the SNP to stand up to Starmer for them.
“Labour has taken a nosedive in the polls and Anas Sarwar is hastily trying to cover himself having voted to defend the cut only last month.
“The Scottish Government is legally required to balance its budget. It does not have anything like the same flexibility or financial powers as the UK Government.
“This is the kind cynical move that puts people off politics. It will do nothing to help the pensioners missing out on financial support this winter because of Labour’s cuts.”
Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to slash eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments, which applies this year, will see 900,000 Scots lose out this year.
The decision was branded heartless by critics given that energy bills are rising and voters are braced for a bitter winter.
Pamela Nash, MP for Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, said: “Our announcement that Scottish Labour will bring in a devolved Winter Fuel Payment if we win the election in 2026 will be widely welcomed.
“Labour is the party of devolution and whilst our Chancellor is having to make difficult decisions due to the financial mess we have inherited, it is correct that we recognise that Scotland is the coldest part of the UK – increasing fuel costs and the risk of fuel poverty – and that we make the decision that is right for Scotland, in Scotland.
“UK-wide, our Labour Government has provided additional funds to support low-income households pay the bills this winter, and in England people already have received this help, but the Scottish Government are sitting on £41 million sent for this purpose and the people of Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke will want to know why.
“Scottish Labour’s 37 new MPs in Westminster have delivered £1.5 billion immediately and £3.4 billion next year to the Scottish Government – the largest budget settlement in the history of devolution.
“The Scottish Government could’ve chosen to spend some of this on a Winter Fuel Payment, but again, chose not to. It is churlish for SNP MSPs to pass on opportunities handed to them on a plate and blame someone else for their failures.
“It is now down to the SNP to stop shouting from the sidelines and ensure the money it has been allocated is spent wisely.”
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