Fifers urged to be part of consultation on winter heating payments

From winter 2024, it will be an annual payment which will replace the UK government’s Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is consulting people across Kirkcaldy and the surrounding area to understand who should be eligible for this payment, when and how it should be delivered, and what measures can be put in place to support those living off the gas grid. The consultation closes on January 15, 2024.

David Torrance, MSP for Kirkcaldy, is urging his constituents to complete the consultation to ensure the payment is as effective as possible in helping pensioners with their winter heating costs.

He said: “The new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will help over a million pensioners in Scotland with their heating costs, including thousands in my constituency.

“The Scottish Government is committed to helping the most vulnerable through the difficult winter period, but it is vital people make their views known of how this payment can best be delivered.”Mr Torrance added: “Since setting up a devolved social security system with compassion, fairness, and respect at its core – 13 benefits, of which seven are unique to Scotland, have been established.”He continued: “Social Security Scotland is set to deliver £5.3 billion in devolved benefits in 2023-24 alone, supporting over 1.2 million people as the government continues to deliver every day for the people of Scotland.”