SCOTS PENSIONERS RISK "FREEZING TO DEATH" AS A RESULT OF WINTER FUEL CUT REGAN TELLS SARWAR

Intervening in the speech of Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar MSP Ash Regan MSP said:

"Scotland is an energy-rich nation that should not be put in the position of facing the prospect of Scottish pensioners freezing to death this Winter, due to the actions of a callous UK Government.  How can Scottish Labour support this when recent research shows that it may result in the deaths of hundreds of Scottish pensioners."

Speaking after the debate Alba Party Holyrood Leader Ash Regan MSP said:

"It is unacceptable in energy-rich Scotland for pensioners to face the prospect of dying this winter from pneumonia and other health conditions brought on or exacerbated by the cruel, rushed-through cut to the winter fuel payment. The Labour Party estimated that in 2017, removing the universal Winter Fuel Payment would put 4000 pensioner lives at risk across the UK. Our NHS cannot afford additional strain, and we cannot afford to lose more lives.

"It is high time that Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour stood up for Scots and against this cruel cut now being imposed on 900,000 Scots pensioners by the Labour Government at Westminster.

It is now incumbent on every politician in Scotland and every concerned citizen to support our pensioners by forcing this decision to be reversed at Westminster—to save the lives and well-being of pensioners in Scotland this winter."