“Once again the SNP Scottish Government is stepping up to support households within its limited budget, despite the majority of powers lying with the Tories at Westminster”, said Natalie Don MSP commenting on the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce a new Low Income Winter Heating Assistance benefit.

This support is being introduced by the SNP Scottish Government and will guarantee an annual payment of £50 to around 400,000 low income households from February 2023. It replaces the UK Government’s Cold Weather payments which were only triggered during a ‘cold spell’ of seven consecutive days below zero degrees. The new payment from the Scottish Government will provide a reliable, stable guaranteed payment in winter, no matter the weather.

It will be the thirteenth social security payment introduced by the SNP Scottish Government and will be only available in Scotland.

Natalie Don MSP added:

“The SNP Scottish Government is providing a guaranteed payment of £50 to low-income households in Renfrewshire North and West to help pay their energy bills every winter, starting in February 2023.

“The Scottish Government’s annual £20m investment will mean households will get an automatic payment. The UK Cold Weather payments only reached 11,000 households in 2021/22.

“As the Scottish Government continues to step up and provide support to households across Scotland, it does so with one hand tied behind its back by the UK Tory government.

“That is why it is only with the full powers of independence can we start to build a fairer, more equal country.”