VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS GUARANTEED SUPPORT DURING COLDER MONTHS

Keith Brown MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency, has highlighted the commencing of this year’s Winter Heating Payments to eligible local households.  This is the first payment from Scotland’s improved alternative to the DWP’s Cold Weather Payment, which only paid out when temperatures are sufficiently low over a set period of time.

Payments of £55.05 are being issued from this week to low-income households, with most people receiving them before the end of January 2024. This will mean that eligible households have greater stability this winter.

Commenting, Keith said:

“I am pleased that the most vulnerable households in my Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency will see guaranteed support paid directly to them over the winter months through a new Scottish system that is far superior to the one previously administered by the DWP.

“With no bureaucratic application process or temperature trigger, the SNP government is providing a safety net for those who need it, regardless of the weather, in recognition of the fact that those who need support with heating should receive it throughout the winter.

“This week the Scottish Government reaffirmed their commitment to a dignified, fair and respectful social security system, increasing the budget for social security payments by one billion pounds on last year alone. 

“I want to see people lifted out of poverty and I know that independence is the best way to achieve that but, in the meantime and under the SNP, those still struggling to heat their homes will always be supported as we work towards building a fairer, more equal Scotland.”