Ayrshire MSP Elena Whitham on Scottish Labour decision

MSPs had backed a call from Scottish First Minister John Swinney to demand the UK Government reverses its “damaging” decision to introduce means-testing for the winter fuel payment.

Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP, Elena Whitham has said that "weak" Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour have chosen to bow to their Westminster bosses over standing up for vulnerable pensioners in Ayrshire.

Elena Whitham says the decision will affect pensioners in Ayrshire (Image: NQ Archive) The Scottish Parliament voted by 99 to 14 in favour of a motion from the First Minister, insisting the Labour Government at Westminster changes course.

Mr Swinney said introducing means-testing alongside the rise in the energy price cap represents a “double whammy” that will hit older Scots and vulnerable households.

He said the Scottish Government is “working urgently to mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s damaging decision”, telling MSPs he has written to councils seeking their “urgent assistance” in encouraging more older people to claim pension credit – allowing them to qualify for the winter fuel payment.

First Minister, John Swinney said he has been in contact with local councils (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA) The First Minister said his government is spending a record £6.1 billion on benefits north of the border, but he told MSPs it “cannot continue to backfill UK austerity policy decisions”.

SNP MSPs across Scotland voted to demand that the Labour UK government urgently reinstate the winter fuel payment this winter. 

Ms Whitham has accused Scottish Labour of "lying down" to the UK Government.

The SNP representative said: "Anas Sarwar and Labour in Scotland made their choice - it is more important for them to lie down for Sir Keir Starmer than stand up for vulnerable pensioners in Ayrshire.

"This shameful move today shows just how weak Anas Sarwar is - the people of Scotland will see right through him and his desperate attempts to justify cruel cuts being made by Labour in Westminster.

"All Labour in Scotland offer is to rubber stamp damaging decisions made in Westminster - only the SNP is focused on standing up for the people of Ayrshire and supporting those who need it most."

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told MSPs in the debate that the UK Government does not want to cut the winter fuel payment.

He added: “[The UK Government] are not responsible for the chaos and damage inherited from the Tories.

“Why the SNP of all people want to minimise the damage the Tories have done is for them to explain.

“So I repeat, the decision of the winter fuel payment is not a decision that the Chancellor wanted to make.”

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar (Image: PA) The Scottish equivalent, which was due to begin this year but has been pushed back as a result of the decision, could allow Scottish ministers to “make different choices”, Mr Sarwar added.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this Parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152 per cent increase in claims.

“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter, while our extension of the household support fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”