Winter Heating Assistance (Pension Age) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025: Policy Note

Impact Assessments

Draft impact assessments have been provided to SCoSS alongside the draft regulations, and will be published alongside the laying of the regulations.

We have provided the following impact assessments:

• Equalities Impact Assessment
• Fairer Scotland Duty
• Island Communities Impact Assessment
• Business Regulatory Impact Assessment
• Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment

The impact assessments find that the introduction of universal eligibility to PAWHP will have a positive impact, providing a higher level of support not just to those in receipt of relevant benefits, but also to those who are above the income threshold for benefits such as Pension Credit, but still require support. With high energy prices continuing to be a key driver of fuel poverty, this support is particularly important given the significant increase in energy prices amid the cost of living crisis.

The introduction of universal eligibility to PAWHP is estimated to provide support to 860,000 pensioners in 2025/26, an investment of £151 million. This compares to the 137,000 forecast to receive the payment under the current restricted eligibility in winter 2024/25.

We have also engaged with the Information Commissioner’s Office who have confirmed that the Scottish Government has met its obligation to consult the ICO under UK GDPR 36(4). An operational Data Protection Impact Assessment will be produced by Social Security Scotland before the processing of data begins.

As per the requirements set out in the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (UNCRC Act), there is a statutory requirement to complete a full Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) when laying legislation. A full CRWIA has therefore been completed, finding an indirect positive impact of PAWHP on the rights and wellbeing of children, for those children who are part of a household in which an individual is entitled to PAWHP.