SNP Claiming Value of Winter Fuel Allowance has Dropped
Party want the issue devolved to Scotland
The SNP is claiming the value of pensioner’s winter fuel allowance has dropped by almost 25%. The allowance paid to the elderly was frozen at £200 in the year 2000. SNP backbencher Chich Brodie's calling on the Scottish Government to make up the difference if the powers are devolved.
He says: Clearly the Smith Commission have indictated they would prefer for fuel allowance to be devolved to Scotland, but that's not going to happen quickly. What's actually happened is pensioners are now £76 worse off because of the allowance not keeping pace with inflation, so we have to get involved to somehow mitigate that.