Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: Fairer Scotland Duty assessment

National Outcome

The policy aligns closely with the Scottish Government’s Wealthier and Fairer Strategic Objectives, but also links with the Scottish Government’s strategic priorities to support older people amid the cost-of-living crisis.

The policy contributes to the following National Outcomes:

• Economy: We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy. This policy will provide continued investment in financial support for older people, with enhanced support for those on low incomes in Scotland.
• Communities: We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe. This additional support recognises older people have particular needs in relation to heating and will help towards ensuring all pensioner households, including those on low incomes, are living in a warm home.
• Health: We are healthy and active. The policy will provide reassurance to older people that they will receive a contribution towards their heating costs, helping to maintain a safe temperature at home during the winter, reducing the health risks due to living in cold environments.
• Human Rights: We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination. Social Security is a human right and through expansion of this benefit we help progress the support that is available.
• Poverty: We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally. The policy intention of PAWHP is to provide financial support to all people of pension age in Scotland because they have a greater need for heat during the winter months. PAWHP in particular specifically targets pensioner households who, due to their age, may require an enhanced heating regime, and therefore may incur greater energy costs (around one million older people living in Scotland every year).