John Swinney has gone on the offensive against Labour, accusing them of betraying Scottish pensioners with empty promises. The First Minister, campaigning alongside SNP candidate Katy Loudon in preparation for the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election on June 5th, slammed Labour for cutting the Winter Fuel Payment last year, claiming they had let down older people throughout Scotland. According to Swinney, Sir Keir Starmer’s government is not on Scotland’s side and views the country as an afterthought.
The SNP has pledged to reinstate the universal Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners, with Swinney confirming that the devolved government would step in to assist the 900,000 affected individuals, including 36,000 in South Lanarkshire. This clash comes as Starmer faces internal strife within the Labour party over proposed welfare reforms, including cuts to disability benefits and maintaining the controversial two-child limit on Universal Credit and child tax credits. Over 100 Labour MPs have signed a letter expressing concerns about these reforms, with some fearing that the Winter Fuel Payment cut could become “Labour’s poll tax” and calling for measures to address child poverty.
Downing Street is reportedly reconsidering the winter fuel policy, with discussions ongoing about potential U-turns in response to public opinion. The child poverty taskforce, led by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, is expected to introduce concessions before the upcoming vote, such as increasing the child element of Universal Credit and expanding free school meal eligibility. While there is debate within the government about the two-child cap introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, with some urging for its removal or amendment, concerns about the cost remain a significant factor in decision-making. Despite pressure from various quarters, the fate of these welfare reforms hangs in the balance as political tensions rise.
