Ministers consult on new cold weather payment

The new Scottish benefit providing assistance for winter heating costs is the subject of a consultation opened by the Scottish Government today.

Ministers have committed to replacing the UK Government’s cold weather payment ("CWP") of £25 for every seven day period of very cold weather, with a new £50 winter heating payment paid annually to those low-income households currently eligible for the CWP. This will cost £20m each year and support the energy bills of 400,000 households.

The consultation aims to provide an overview of the new payment's aim, its key eligibility criteria and format. It sets out how the Government intends to deliver the new benefit through Social Security Scotland, and seeks to identify any unintended consequences of the proposals.

Questions are asked on whether the policy intent set out in the Scottish approach to replacing CWPs will best meet the needs of those it is intended to help. Ministers are keen to identify the best approach to delivering this assistance before the benefit regulations are drafted.

Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson commented: "Although cold weather payments have been a valuable support for some during periods of very cold weather, there have been some years when hardly any payments have been made at all by the UK Government.

"If winters, as predicted, are due to become generally wetter and warmer then this may also reduce the numbers of cold weather payments in the future. We want people to have certainty about receiving a payment.

"Our proposed new benefit will be the equivalent to two payments of cold weather payment and should ensure that most people will be better off. Significantly, it will also enable us to provide assistance to more households that are at risk of fuel poverty."

Click here to access the consultation. The deadline for responses is 23 February 2022.