Support for Scotland’s Pensioners as Winter Heating Payments Begin

With temperatures plunging across Scotland this week, Martyn Day has welcomed the fact that pensioners have now started receiving the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. The first payments from the SNP Scottish Government are already landing in bank accounts, giving vital support as heating costs rise.

At least 880,000 pensioners will receive this help. It comes at a time when energy bills have jumped by around £200 since Labour took office—despite their promise to cut bills by £300. Most pensioners will get the payment automatically, with no action required.

Last year, one of Keir Starmer’s first decisions was to slash winter heating support for older people. The SNP stepped in to ensure pensioners in Scotland didn’t lose out before he eventually U-turned. Now, bills are nearly £500 higher than what was promised, and households are feeling it.

It remains a scandal that Scotland—an energy-rich nation—has some of the highest energy bills in Europe. The SNP will always do what we can to support older people, but it’s clearer than ever that Scotland needs the fresh start of independence so we can use our own resources to bring bills down for good.