Scottish Conservative MSP, Jackson Carlaw has accused the Labour MP for East Renfrewshire, Blair McDougall of “betraying” pensioners after he voted to scrap universal winter fuel payments in the House of Commons.
The winter fuel payments were worth between £100-£300 for pensioners in East Renfrewshire.
Mr Carlaw has said Mr McDougall has got it wrong by voting to scrap this “lifeline” support for many elderly people and that Labour should not be means testing the payment.
The Eastwood MSP has pointed to estimated figures – based on House of Commons constituency boundaries – highlighting the total number of pensioners who will lose out on the payment in East Renfrewshire.
The figures show that 17,983 people of pensionable age in East Renfrewshire will no longer receive the payment.
Mr Carlaw also criticised the SNP for following Labour’s lead and confirming that they will be implementing the cuts in Scotland.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“Only two months into the job and in one of his first acts as East Renfrewshire’s Member of Parliament, Blair McDougall has disgracefully voted to remove winter fuel payments from pensioners.
“The scrapping of winter fuel payments for almost 18,000 pensioners in East Renfrewshire was entirely absent from Mr McDougall’s election campaign and his actions represent a complete betrayal of elderly people in the constituency.
“Winter fuel payments have been a lifeline for many pensioners and removing this support for most elderly people is entirely the wrong choice by Labour.
“What Labour inherited from the Conservatives was the fastest growing economy in the G7, inflation back at 2 percent and stronger public finances than just about every other major advanced economy.
“The scrapping of winter fuel payments for most pensioners is a decision entirely of Labour’s making and their flimsy attempt to blame others isn’t fooling anyone.
“The SNP are shamefully following Labour’s lead and they only have themselves to blame.
“Both Labour and the SNP need to accept responsibility for these cuts and be upfront with pensioners as to why they have been targeted in such a disgraceful way.
“The Scottish Conservatives are firmly opposed to these cuts and unlike Mr McDougall, I will always be on the side of local pensioners.”
