Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, is facing criticism for his recent U-turn on Winter Fuel Payments, with opponents accusing him of making a politically convenient move just days before three key by-elections. Sarwar announced that if his party takes power in 2026, they would implement a universal Winter Fuel Payment that would later be tapered for the wealthiest recipients. This reversal in policy comes after Scottish Labour previously supported the UK Government’s cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.
The timing of Sarwar’s U-turn has raised eyebrows, especially among his opponents. Kilian Riley, the SNP candidate for the North East ward by-election in Glasgow, called the timing of the U-turn “interesting” and criticized Labour for their hypocrisy. He highlighted that two former Labour councillors who became MPs had voted to cut the Winter Fuel Payment, only for Sarwar to now propose protecting it.
Riley pointed out that the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment has been a significant issue for voters, with many feeling let down by Labour’s previous stance. He questioned whether Sarwar’s last-minute policy change would truly sway voters in the upcoming by-elections or if they would see through the political maneuvering.
Other SNP candidates and officials also weighed in on Sarwar’s U-turn, accusing Scottish Labour of trying to mitigate decisions made by a Westminster Labour government rather than standing up for Scotland’s interests. This criticism comes in the wake of the UK Government’s modeling showing that the Winter Fuel Payment cuts would push more pensioners into poverty.
In response to the backlash, Sarwar must now explain why he did not support the reintroduction of the Winter Fuel Payment in the Scottish Parliament just weeks ago and why he remained silent while his Westminster colleagues pushed through the cuts. The Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, accused Labour of engaging in “Orwellian double-think” by claiming to support pensioners while cutting their benefits.
The controversy surrounding Sarwar’s U-turn on Winter Fuel Payments has added a new layer of scrutiny to the upcoming by-elections in Glasgow. Voters will now have to consider whether they believe Scottish Labour’s change of heart is genuine or simply a political ploy to win votes. The issue of pensioner welfare and social justice is likely to remain a key topic of debate as the election approaches.
