Winter fuel allowance

Isles' SNP candidate, Alasdair Allan, has highlighted the SNP's election pledge to pay out on winter fuel payments early, allowing people in receipt of them to buy heating oil at times of the year when it is cheaper.

Winter Fuel Payments are an annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 which help pensioners pay for their heating in the winter. Winter fuel payments are due to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament during the next parliament.

Alasdair Allan commented: "It is a well known fact that the Western Isles have some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Europe. There are many contributing factors to this but an important cause is the fact that the majority of households are not on the gas grid and instead rely on more expensive solutions such as external oil tanks.

"Currently around 6,000 over 65s in the Western Isles receive their Winter Fuel Payments in December when the price of fuel is at its peak, diluting the help these payments provide to pensioners and others.

"We need to ensure our elderly folk are well taken care of and so I very much welcome the confirmation from the First Minister that a re-elected SNP Government will use the devolution of this benefit to help off-grid pensioners. By allowing people to access their payments earlier will allow them to purchase fuel when it is cheaper, maximising the help on offer.

"We are clear that an SNP government will protect winter fuel payments and we will deliver payments that suit the needs of Scotland’s pensioners."

Early payout pledge for winter fuel allowance

21 April 2016