Anas Sarwar talks Winter Fuel Payment

The new, 'fairer' winter fuel payment promised for Scotland - and when it would start under Labour plans

Scottish Labour said it would reinstate the winter fuel payment if the party is elected in Scotland in 2026
Scottish Labour has pledged to reinstate a universal winter fuel payment for pensioners if it wins the next Holyrood election.

Party leader Anas Sarwar said he would reverse a cut imposed by his own UK Labour government and “deliver a fairer system” in Scotland.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attracted criticism from across the political spectrum in the summer after announcing the benefit would only be available to those in receipt of pension credit or other benefits, just weeks after taking office.

This led the Scottish Government to confirm it would also means-test its devolved equivalent of the payment, which has been delayed.

Scottish Labour appeared uncomfortable with the position of the UK government, with leader Anas Sarwar saying the threshold was too low.

On Tuesday, the party announced it would create a devolved payment if it wins the keys to Bute House in 2026, but would make it a “fairer system”.

It is understood this would be a universal payment, but its value would be tapered down for wealthier pensioners.

Mr Sarwar said: “A Scottish Labour government will reinstate the winter fuel payment for pensioners in Scotland.

“The winter fuel payment was supposed to be a devolved benefit this year and there were additional resources available to the Scottish Government through the household support fund.

“That meant we could have taken a different approach in Scotland to support more households this year – instead, the SNP decided to hand the power back to the DWP [Department for Work and Pensions].

“For months I have said that the eligibility criterion of pension credit is too low and called for a Scottish solution to this issue.

“That’s why Scottish Labour will take back this devolved power from the DWP, reinstate the winter fuel payment, and deliver a fairer system to ensure that everyone who needs support gets it.

“A UK Labour government is clearing up the mess left by a chaotic Tory government – here in Scotland, people are demanding a new direction and in 2026 we have the opportunity to deliver it with a Scottish Labour government.”

It comes after Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry KC joined a court case seeking to overturn the UK government’s cut to the winter fuel payment.

Ms Cherry, who lost her seat in July’s election, returned to legal practice earlier this month and will act as senior counsel in the action brought by Peter and Florence Fanning.

The Coatbridge pensioners are seeking to reverse the decision announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier this year to remove the universality of the payment.

The action is aided by the Govan Law Centre, with the group’s Mike Dailly acting as junior counsel. Former first minister Alex Salmond, who died earlier this month and was buried on Tuesday, also played a part i