Christina McKelvie MSP welcomes an annual investment of £20 million to help low income households in Scotland during the winter months.

A consultation has been launched on the new heating benefit that will give around 400,000 low income households the reassurance of a guaranteed £50 payment every winter.

The Low Income Winter Heating Assistance will be introduced from winter 2022 to replace the current UK Government Cold Weather Payment scheme.

The current UK Government benefit triggers a £25 payment only when temperatures are recorded or forecast at below zero degrees Celsius for seven days in a row. The replacement Low Income Winter Heating Assistance benefit from the Scottish Government will provide financial stability, no matter the weather.

Christina Mckelvie, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse said:

“Not only will this proposed new benefit help the people living in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, it will also provide financial security for those in low income households across Scotland.

“It shows the SNPs commitment to provide assistance to households that are at risk of fuel poverty, looking after some of the most vulnerable in our society. 

“This is just another example of the tale of two governments. While the UK Government are slashing the triple lock for pensioners, increasing the tax burden on working families by raising National Insurance payments and prematurely withdrawing Covid income support schemes the SNP are using the devolved powers we have to deliver more effective benefits for the people of Scotland.

”The only way to fully protect the people of Scotland from these Tory cuts and regressive tax hikes is to take our future into our own hands as a normal independent country.”