[Falkirk, 22.05.2025] Falkirk MP Euan Stainbank has welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales, calling it “the right call.” The administration of the Winter Fuel Allowance has been devolved to the Scottish Government under the previous Conservative Government.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed during Prime Minister’s Questions that the government will look at raising the threshold for the payment, with final details to be announced at a future fiscal event.
Mr Stainbank said:
“Scottish Labour committed to restoration of the winter fuel allowance in November, while the SNP were still falsely conflating their decision to cut the devolved winter fuel allowance in Falkirk with the change to eligibility throughout the UK. Any commitment from the Scottish Labour Party or the SNP Scottish Government was only possible due to the £5.2bn additional funding for Scotland secured by Scottish Labour MPs at the budget this year.
“I’m pleased the Prime Minister has listened to concerns constituents and acted. This is about setting a fairer deal for pensioners in the UK. We know the cost of living remains a real worry for many older people, and increasing the threshold is the right move.
“The Winter Fuel Payment was initially created by Gordon Brown, when Chancellor in the 1997-2010 Labour Government. The change could potentially put thousands more pensioners just above the new threshold announced in 2024.”
ENDS
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