Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice decision on universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: FOI release

Information requested

The date the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice decided that a universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payment was “no longer important” and for all details the Cabinet Secretary relied upon to make the decision.

Response

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

The Scottish Government set out its position on making winter fuel payments this year in answer to Written Question S6W-38801 lodged by Collette Stevenson on 18 June 2025. The answer sets out the basis upon which decisions were taken, namely the importance of prioritising the additional funding to those most in need. Further information can be found at Written question and answer: S6W-38801 | Scottish Parliament Website and at The Winter Heating Assistance (Pension Age) (Scotland) Regulations 2025: Further Scottish Government response to SCoSS - Scottish Commission on Social Security

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