Every pensioner household in Scotland will receive a winter fuel payment next year, the Scottish government has announced. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said those in receipt of qualifying benefits like Pension Credit would get £200 or £300 depending on their age, while all others would get £100.

Campaigners have said this threshold is too low, and will put two million vulnerable pensioners at risk of missing out. Labour now also faces legal action over the changes as Unite, the party’s biggest union backer, makes an application to the High Court.

All Scottish pensioners are to receive a winter fuel payment of at least £100 from next year after SNP ministers staged a partial about-turn on cutting the benefit. Shirley Anne-Somerville, the SNP’s Social Justice Secretary,