In a letter to Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, Age Scotland has highlighted recent figures identifying 200,000 pensioners living in poverty or just above the poverty line who will no longer receive their Winter Fuel Payment, previously worth up to £300 to help with energy costs.

The charity has asked Mr Murray to urgently convey to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, ahead of next week’s Budget, the message that the move will have a devastating impact on low income pensioners in Scotland, who are already struggling with rising energy prices, as we move into winter.

The letter to the Scottish government welcomes the recent vote at Holyrood condemning the UK government’s decision – but calls on ministers to be clear about how they intend to deliver the devolved Pension Age Winter heating Payment when they assume responsibility for the benefit next year.

The letter also calls on the Scottish Government to do all it can to support a campaign to increase uptake of pension credit, to identify more of the 65,000 pensioners in Scotland who are eligible but do not claim the important benefit.

In the letter to Ian Murray, Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, wrote: “I am grateful for the frank discussion we had about the challenges older people will face and for your interest in our analysis of the scale and impact this policy decision will have.

“In the time since we met, OFGEM announced a substantial increase to the energy price cap this winter and huge numbers of older people have been in touch about how they will really struggle to manage their energy bills, and stay warm, with less financial means. Our petition with Age UK has also gathered 560,000 signatures in opposition to this cut.

“With the UK government’s Budget imminent, I am writing to ask that you draw the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s attention to new analysis from our partners at Age UK which shows that 85% of pensioners in Scotland who live in poverty or are just above the poverty line will lose their Winter Fuel Payment.”

In the letter to the First Minister John Swinney, Katherine Crawford wrote: “The overwhelming support of parliament for the motion was significant. With it, the Scottish Government has clearly accepted how important it is that the decision is reversed and that action is urgent.

“As you shape the Scottish Budget for 2024/25, we ask that you give the most serious consideration to how the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment can be better resourced next year so that those pensioners who are in desperate need are supported.

“It seems clear that the Scottish Government need to identify a plan and associated funding for this to happen before the end of this year whilst you work budget proposals. Leaving any policy proposals or consultation later will inevitably mean that there is no money available to support older people with this vital issue.”