Every pensioner household in Scotland will receive a winter fuel payment next year, the Scottish government has announced. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said those in receipt of qualifying benefits like Pension Credit would get £200 or £300 depending on their age, while all others would get £100.

Unite, one of Labour’s major donors, has repeatedly called on the Government to abandon its decision to means test the winter fuel payment.

She went on to add that the government has seen an increase in the number of people claiming Pension Credit, with a 152 percent rise in claims to enable pensioners to get their Winter Fuel Payment back, as well as ‘extra financial support’ with the £150 Warm Homes Discount.