Call to increase winter allowance

Isles MP Angus MacNeil is supporting the SNP’s call for an increase in the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA).

New research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre reveals the Labour and Tory governments’ freeze on the basic payment level over the last 14 years has resulted in a near 25% cut in real terms.

Mr MacNeil has co-sponsored a motion at Westminster, uniting with some Labour MPs and backbenchers of other parties, to equalise the electricity costs throughout the country from the current regime, set up over a decade ago.

The MP has also called for a fairer electricity pricing structure, highlighting that electricity prices were 3%-14% (across the range of energy companies) more expensive in the Hebrides than in London.

Angus MacNeil said: “Many pensioners in Scotland live on small and modest earnings – the winter fuel allowance is a vital payment and it exists to try and make sure they don’t have to compromise between paying for groceries or heating their homes during the winter months.

“In ten years of a Labour government, followed by five years of Tory/Liberal government, Winter Fuel Allowance has not increased at all, but in fact has resulted in the value dropping by 24.6% in real terms.

“There are two issues here, firstly, the devolution of the electricity pricing structure and secondly, the devolution of the Winter Fuel Allowance and the two are of course connected.

“The transfer of control of the winter fuel allowance - as recommended by the Smith Commission - is welcomed but without any clear timetabling of when this will happen we need immediate action to make sure not one pensioner in Scotland is afraid to put their heating on this winter.”

Mr Macneil added: “If this Smith Commission recommendation is not passed over with immediate effect then Westminster must in the near future increase the payment in line with inflation.”

Call to increase winter allowance

24 December 2014