Scottish ministers 'in the dark' over winter fuel payment U-turn

The Scottish government says it has been left in the dark over a surprise decision to reinstate winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners in England and Wales

Scotland's Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said ministers were not consulted on the major U-turn announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

More than 75% of pensioners in England and Wales will be entitled to the new annual payment of up to £300 after the UK government abandoned one of its first – and most controversial – policies.

Scotland has already created a devolved benefit of £100 for all pensioner households, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of Scots worse off than their counterparts in England and Wales.