With temperatures plummeting in North Ayrshire this week, local SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has highlighted that pensioners have started to receive financial support to heat their homes this winter.
The first payments of the SNP Scottish Government’s Pension Age Winter Heating Payment have been processed and started landing in pensioners accounts.
Thanks to action from the SNP in government, at least 880,000 pensioners across Scotland will receive support to help heat their homes.
The support this winter will be more necessary than ever, with energy bills spiralling by an average of £200 since Labour came to power – after they promised to cut bills by £300.
Commenting SNP MSP Ruth Maguire said:
“With temperatures dropping, it is hugely welcome that pensioners in Cunninghame South have started to receive support to help them heat their homes this winter.
“Most people will receive their payment automatically – no action is needed.
“One of Keir Starmer’s first acts in government was to slash winter heating support for pensioners last year. The SNP stepped in to ensure that pensioners in Scotland wouldn’t lose out this winter before Starmer eventually performed one of the many U-turns which have characterised his time in office.
“Starmer came to power on the back of a promise to slash energy bills. Instead, they have spiralled out of control with bills now nearly £500 higher than we were promised.
“It is a scandal that pensioners in Scotland pay some of the highest bills in Europe despite having vast natural energy resources on their doorsteps. The SNP will always do all it can to support them, but this shows why Scotland needs the fresh start of independence so that we can use these resources to cut bills.”
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 