Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment

Conclusion

The introduction of revised eligibility to PAWHP for those earning £35,000 or less will provide support to pensioner households most in need, with additional support to meet increased heating costs, during the winter months, with the intention of helping them to heat their homes for longer. This Fairer Scotland Duty has identified that the introduction of a revised PAWHP for those earning £35,000 or less is likely to have a positive impact on reducing inequality and tackling poverty for older people on lower incomes by continuing to mitigate some of the winter heating costs experienced by older people.

Scottish Government analysis has found that, by applying the current restricted PAWHP eligibility criteria to the 2023 Scottish House Condition Survey data (which included the 2023 criteria for WFP), the 2023 fuel poverty rate would increase by around 10,000 households (to 871,000) and the extreme fuel poverty rate by around 10,000 households (to 501,000).

Analysis on the impact of PAWHP changes on fuel poverty levels is forthcoming but it is expected that any impact on overall fuel poverty levels will be minor.

Our revised PAWHP will provide a payment to pensioner households earning an income of £35,000 or less, providing reliable financial support to people of pension age who are more vulnerable to cold temperatures due to their age and therefore have a greater need for household heating.