Winter fuel payment U-turn a 'long time coming' for OAPs

THE decision to reinstate the winter fuel payment should have been made “a long time ago”, Scotland's Social Justice Secretary has said.

- BY PAUL HUTCHEON

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said yesterday nine million pensioners will be in receipt of the payment this year after a cut was announced in the first weeks of the Labour Government last summer.

The initial decision was met with anger and forced the Scottish Government to delay the implementation of its own devolved benefit.