THE SNP have promised to increase pensioners’ winter fuel allowance in line with inflation in an independent Scotland.
The benefit, currently paid to everyone over 60 and worth as much as £300, has not increased in value since 2000.
However, the SNP have unveiled plans to build in an annual increase.
Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy Leader of the SNP, said: “With the opportunity of independence we will ensure our pensioners continue to benefit from the winter fuel allowance and that it keeps pace with the cost of living by increasing in line with inflation. A huge part of the cost of living is the rising cost of energy bills.
“We will take action to reduce energy bills by at least £70 per household and we will not means-test the winter fuel allowance like the Labour party are planning to.”
Linking the benefit to inflation would only add a few pounds to it each year but would ensure it kept up with any rise in everyday prices.
Currently the winter fuel allowance is worth £200 to over-60s with an extra £100 for over-80s. That level hasn’t changed since 2000, three years after Gordon Brown introduced the handout in his first budget speech as Chancellor.
George Osborne reduced the rate by £50 for over-60s and £100 for over-80s in 2011, revoking a temporary increase announced by Labour ahead of the 2010 election.
Labour have announced that if they win in 2015 they will scrap the winter fuel allowance for higher rate taxpayers.
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