We won't abandon elderly

SCOTS pensioners will receive between £100 and £300 in winter fuel payments next year from the SNP government.

- PAUL HUTCHEON

Social Justice Secretary ShirleyAnne Somerville partially reversed Labour's cut after saying she would not "abandon" older people.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves faced a backlash after slashing eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment by limiting it to people on pension credit.

Her means test will still go ahead this year and about 900,000 Scots will lose out.

As revealed by the Record, the SNP government has decided to replace the Labour means test with a universal system to help pensioners heat their homes.

The replacement, coming into force in 2025, will be called the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.