Swinney to subsidise the bloody winter heating payment for all pensioners

[OptimismvsRealism]

The SNP are complete fucking twats

Why does that make them Twats?

Because they're blowing cash on performative bullshit (again) while fundamentals continue to crumble.

I'm sure you will find that pensioners ( especially) need to be in a certain criteria to get the winter fuel allowance.

No... The proposal is to reinstate it as a universal benefit. I.e. for everyone of retirement age.i.e. for people who have the most millionaires among them of any age group.

I’m guessing they would rather give the cash that’s not needed in order to benefit those who might die of hypothermia

It's a benefit many don't get benefits as they have small pensions. My mother in law gets £21 too much from her husbands pension so not all

Given the amount of posts on here despising Starmer for cutting it, you'd think someone might see this as a good thing.

Not on Scotsnet though.

Is there a link to this information?

You’ve got to hand it to Swinney though - / it will be popular with the demographic he needs with Scottish elections not too far away. We can’t afford it, but makes sense from an SNP perspective.

I'm very anti snp but I support this. Given the utter rubbish that the UK Gov and the Scot Gov waste money on, I really don't think £300 or whatever similar new figure is proposed for pensioners is here nor there. I dont think labour should have removed it in the first place. To be honest, I'm surprised it's taken this long and some scottish people to threaten legal action against Scot Gov if they didn't implement a payment. I cant see this story being reported though - please could you share a link?

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/john-swinney-actively-considering-bringing-34051227.amp

It's a stupid, ill thought through idea. So doubtless the Scottish Government will implement it. Who needs decent hospitals and schools when you can spraff free cash on rich people?

The cost of means testing that small amount is more than would be saved. It's why Scotland and Wales have free prescriptions.

Wait, it's £300 for the year?!

MPs will piss that up the wall in one lunch sitting!

Good for the SNP.👍

I loathe Swinney but I can't see a problem with this policy, if it happens.

It is colder in Scotland to be fair.

I would love an independent Scotland, then after it happened we can decide who runs our Country . We can afford it .

Do you have anyone in mind, or will capable and honourable politicians present themselves after we're independent?

OP, do you live in Scotland? Are you a pensioner? I don't understand why you are so angry about something which can only benefit older people. Scotland is much darker for longer than the rest of UK. It's not just cold,it's damp and combined it has a chilling effect. Generally pensioners are on a restricted income and anything which keeps folk warm, is good in my opinion. I don't get a full pension and my work pension isn't great either, so anything extra would be helpful. Anyway, he's only considering it, so I think your rage is ott

We can't afford it
Thousands of people are on years long waiting lists for such luxuries as cataract ops and knee replacements

But at least they'll get a few hundred quid as they lie blind and crippled

Let's face it, generally Scotland is colder. He's probably looked at the figures and reckoned that the financial tradeoff of a few OAPs getting a few quid this year is worth it.

It's worth mentioning that some people get totally pissed off that the benefits brigade get everything while those who've slogged their socks off and saved but who are just a bit above whatever threshold it is get sod all.

Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

If Scotland becomes independent, the only higher rate taxpayers left will be the ones who work for the state … good luck with the economics of that. Only 6-8per cent of Scot’s pay higher rate tax now ( and they’re the most ‘mobile’ - can easily relocate over the Border) And less than half the population pay income tax at all!

I live in Scotland. I pay about £5000 more a year in tax than I would in England. I pay about £5000 in private healthcare that the NHS won't cover in order to be well enough to work. I have just paid £3000 for dental care the NHS won't cover. I've had a non stop period for the last 6 weeks and an oozing rash on my arm for the last year that the GP won't see me about. My dad is blind because of NHS cuts to eye care and can't walk because the knee list is four years. Schools don't have basic provisions for kids.

We don't have the cash to placate rich codgers. 1 in 4 pensioner households are MILLIONAIRE HOUSEHOLDS.

Not to mention your free university and grant. Mortgage tax relief. Massive property inflation. No additional dwelling supplement on BTL. Triple lock pension. Getting to retire at all before 70. The spoilt generation just grabs and grabs