Ahead of UK summit, FM says Winter Fuel Payment must be restored.
The UK needs a national mission to raise living standards and
provide people with hope that things will get easier, starting
with the restoration of a Winter Fuel Payment to all pensioner
households, First Minister has said.
Speaking ahead of talks with Prime Minister Sir in London, the First Minister
said he will press for action to help people struggling with the
ongoing cost of living crisis, amid increasing inflation and
international economic instability.
Mr Swinney said the first action of the UK Government must be to
accept the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment was wrong and announce
a restoration so all pensioners get a payment.
The First Minster said people need to believe things can get
easier and that he plans to raise specific concerns relating to
Scotland's economy with the Prime Minister which could help
accelerate economic growth. This includes the impact on Scotland
of the recently announced UK-US trade deal, the agreement reached
with the European Union, Carbon Capture and the case for a
bespoke migration policy for Scotland.
Mr Swinney will be in London for a programme of meetings,
including a bilateral with the Prime Minister, a multilateral
with the First Minister of Wales, First Minister and deputy First
Minister of Northern Ireland, and a plenary session of the
Council of Nations and Regions.
First Minister said:
“People across the UK are living through a period of huge
uncertainty and for some, that is undermining the trust they have
in government.
“Cutting the winter fuel payment saw the UK Government breaking
promises and removing vital financial support for some of the
most vulnerable in our society. Having effectively conceded the
argument by announcing a partial U-turn, the Prime Minister
should accept the cut was wrong and restore a universal winter
fuel payment.
“In Scotland, we are introducing universal winter heating
payments through our Cost of Living Guarantee. This will see
payment made to all pensioner households, with the poorest
receiving the most support which is fair amid ongoing pressures.
“If the UK government want to provide people with hope that
things will get easier, the Prime Minister should restore the
winter fuel payment as part of a new national mission to raise
living standards.
“I will raise this issue with him alongside other critical
issues, including our proposal for a Scottish Graduate Visa,
Carbon Capture and what impacts recent trade deals will have
on Scottish producers and businesses.
“We are willing to work with him and the UK Government, but the
question is whether he is willing to work with Scotland and give
people hope that a better future is possible.”
ENDS
The First Minister will hold bilateral talks with the Prime
Minister in London on Friday 23 May.
The First Minister is then due to join the First Minister of
Wales, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern
Ireland for further talks, before joining a meeting of the UK
Government's Council of Nations and
Regions.
