A group of furious Glasgow pensioners are launching a petition to try and force Scottish Ministers into a U-turn on their decision to axe the lifeline winter fuel payment for the elderly.
The OAPs say scrapping the annual benefit of up to £300 in favour of a means-tested Holyrood alternative - the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment - will push more older people into poverty and leave many struggling to heat their homes.
Ann Ayre, chair of the Winget Residents’ Association in the East End, says the elderly are reeling from the shock decision - and described it as a ‘slap in the face’ for those already struggling to make ends meet.
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The community campaigner from Carntyne says she is taking a stand by creating the petition to fight against the move - and wants other senior citizens across the city and those further afield to back it or follow suit with their own.
Ann exclusively told the Glasgow Times: “People are quite rightly outraged by this and feel badly let down by the Labour Party and the Scottish Government. If they think we are just going to roll over and accept this decision, then they are very much mistaken.
“As far as I’m concerned, a petition is just the start. We should be looking at holding a protest in George Square and one outside Holyrood to show the strength of feeling. Every single pensioner left struggling because of this cruel, money grasping move should mobilise to tell Scottish Ministers exactly what they think of them.
“How can anyone possibly think that hitting the elderly, most of whom have worked hard all their lives, in the pocket like this is justifiable. Means-testing will just see people punished for saving a little as they went through their working life and many are left unable to qualify for pension credits. This cut is a deplorable move that’s just going to drive people further into debt.”
The Scottish Government confirmed on Wednesday that it will follow the UK Government by no longer providing winter fuel payments to all pensioners.
It means just 130,000 people in Scotland will be eligible for the benefit under the new regime – and 900,000 who had previously been entitled to it will lose out.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says she had "no choice" after the UK Chancellor announced cuts south of the border.
She said: “Despite all efforts to review our financial position, we have been left with no choice but to follow the UK Government and restrict payments to older people who receive relevant eligible benefits.
“This is a necessary decision when faced with such a deep cut to our funding and in the most challenging financial circumstances since devolution. The reduction we are facing amounts to as much as 90% of the cost of Scotland’s replacement benefit, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
“Given the UK Government’s decision to restrict payments to those in receipt of means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, and the implications for the Scottish Government detailed above, I have urged the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to undertake a benefits take-up campaign for Pension Credit and to move forward with plans for a social energy tariff.
“Both of these measures will provide some further protection to energy customers in greatest need.”
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The Pension Age Winter Heating scheme will not be rolled out in Scotland until winter 2025.
Ann, who also led calls for a city-wide boycott against the council’s decision to charge £50 to empty household’s brown bins, says many vulnerable people feel badly let down and are worried about how they will continue to heat their homes when the inevitable cold snap arrives.
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She added: “Through this petition, we are asking the Labour and SNP governments to stop and think again. It’s the wrong policy, one that will hit the vulnerable the hardest. We need measures to protect poor senior citizens already struggling with the seemingly never-ending rise in the cost of living, not penalise them.
“Quite honestly, I think those in charge should hang their heads in shame. People are genuinely worried now about keeping their heating on or running an oven to cook an evening meal, it’s an appalling situation to be facing."
Ann added: “Older people on low and modest incomes, or who have very high energy bills through no fault of their own, will miss out when they really depend on this money to be able to meet what have become eye-watering fuel charges. It's not on."
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