Labour Under Pressure as Ireland Hands Our €1000 to Pensioners

The SNP has said the Labour Government should learn lessons from Ireland and support pensioners this winter. 
 
It follows news that Irish pensioners are set for a financial boost of up to €1000 at their upcoming budget.
 
The Labour Government has faced a fierce backlash after plans were announced to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners. 
 
Starmer’s plans met further criticism after Labour admitted it failed to conduct a Health Impact Assessment on its decision to scrap the payment which their own analysis in Opposition said could result in 4000 deaths. 
 
860,000 Scottish pensioners are set to lose the support with 36% of “older households” in Scotland already estimated to be in fuel poverty in 2022.
 
With Scotland’s colder climate impacting households here hardest, a recent YouGov poll that found 34% of Scots have already turned the heating on, while only 18% of those in London had.
   
Commenting, SNP Economy spokesperson Dave Doogan MP said:
 
“While the Labour government robs their pensioners of their winter fuel payment, a small independent country across the Irish sea has announced plans to hand out €1000 to theirs – it’s no wonder Scots are green with envy. 
 
“It’s no secret Scotland’s colder climate means higher bills, but that didn’t stop Scottish Labour MPs skipping through the voting lobbies to see 860,000 Scottish pensioners lose their heating bill support.
 
“Any Scottish MP worth their salt should have stood up for Scotland and refused to back Starmer’s plan – that’s exactly what SNP MPs did and will continue to do to protect Scottish pensioners this winter. 
 
“The Labour Party must u-turn on their plans to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment and look west to Ireland where a small, independent nation in Europe knows how to properly care for its older people.”