Ahead of a visit on Tuesday to Edinburgh charity, Vintage Vibes, – an organisation working to support older people by tackling social isolation and loneliness through the projects they deliver – the First Minister said there had been a £41 million package of Scottish Government support announced this winter.
This includes the introduction of new payments in winter 2025 that will benefit all pensioners – including a £100 payment which is only available in Scotland, and which the Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville announced last week. This will pay at least £100 to all pensioners with others receiving up to £300 depending on other benefits and age.
The First Minister said: “This week we will publish a Budget which delivers progress for Scotland, by Scotland – laying the foundations for our long-term success. We have engaged constructively with organisations and businesses across the country and have listened carefully to the priorities of the people of Scotland – and this is a Budget that will deliver those priorities.
“That is why it is a Budget not just for Scotland, but by Scotland – with the things people care most about at its heart.
“People across the country were saying loudly and clearly that the UK Government’s abandonment of older people on the Winter Fuel Payment was unacceptable. We listened and my Budget will take action to fix the problem in Scotland by delivering a £41 million package of support this winter, and universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payments from next year.
“Unlike the UK Government, we will deliver a Scottish Budget that puts the people of Scotland first, reflecting my determination to deliver on the priorities of the people of Scotland.
“It will be a Budget for delivery, showing we have heard the issues people have accessing public services and taking action to address the problems. It will be a Budget for hope, putting in place the investment that will set us up to win big in the years to come – creating more and better jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.”
The Finance Secretary will announce the Scottish Budget on Wednesday just after 2pm. Proceedings from The Scottish Parliament are shown live on Parliament TV.
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