Back in July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that she would restrict the annual payout in England and Wales to those on pension credit or certain other benefits as part of her plan to tackle a £22 billion black hole in the public finances.
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According to ministers in Edinburgh, the decision to block the annual winter fuel payment left them with a £160 million funding shortfall for their own equivalent devolved benefit which was due to start this year.
They said they had little choice but to follow suit.
The Scottish Government’s analysis says that means around 900,000 Scottish pensioners will lose out, with just 130,000 receiving the payment.
Across the UK, some 10 million pensioners will be affected.
Speaking to journalists after a speech in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney said: “There are possible steps that could be taken within Scotland to ameliorate the difficulties that are faced by pensioners living in a colder climate without winter fuel payments.
“That will obviously be the subject of a statement to Parliament tomorrow.”
Pressed on the issue by broadcasters, Mr Swinney refused to outline what the plans would be, saying the Scottish Parliament must be informed first.
“What I am certain of is that the Government I lead must be a Government that stands and offers support to those who face challenges in our society, stands alongside those who are able to take forward opportunities, and that’s exactly what will govern and dictate our approach on all the issues that we face.”
The First Minister’s comments come after Scottish Labour announced it plans to force a vote on winter fuel payments through an amendment to a social security Bill next week, which would make the Scottish Government’s devolved payment universal, but would allow ministers to claw back payments made to households which earn above a level they set.
The announcement comes after the party said it would legislate for the payments if it wins the 2026 Holyrood election, despite the changes being forced by the UK Government.
He added: “Obviously, there are possible steps that could be taken within Scotland to ameliorate the difficulties that are faced by pensioners living in a colder climate without winter fuel payments, and that will obviously be the subject of a statement to parliament tomorrow.”
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Mr Swinney said: “I think in the spirit of trying to find common ground, I’m grateful for the fact that Anas Sarwar has now realised the Labour Government in London is a real big problem for us with the decision that they’ve taken on winter fuel.
“So that’s at least a step forward, that he now realises how damaging the cut to winter fuel payments has been by the UK Labour Government, a decision which I don’t think any of us though a UK Labour Government would take.”
