A campaigner has sent a plea to the Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling on the government “not to cut winter fuel payments to pensioners in Scotland.”

Sean Clerkin from the Scottish Tenants Organisation (STO) posted the letter from Barrhead Main Street after a bid to hand it in at the UK Government Office in Glasgow during an STO protest last month failed.

(Image: Newsquest) The annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 was introduced in 1997 to help eligible pensioners meet the costs of heating their homes in winter.

Changes to eligibility were announced by the UK Government in August amid “difficult” financial decisions, and the Scottish Government confirmed it would means test the payment as a result earlier this month.

Only those in receipt of pension credit or other eligible benefits will be eligible, as a result of the new plans.

In his letter Sean, who is from Barrhead, said: “If your government does make these cuts to payments you will be condemning thousands of pensioners to die this winter from cold-related illnesses.

“It is colder in Scotland than anywhere else in the United Kingdom and our pensioners in Scotland will suffer disproportionately.”

The 63-year-old, who is the STO’s campaign coordinator, condemned the move as “cruel, inhumane and barbaric.”

(Image: Newsquest) The letter also commented on the impact of the price cap, which sets a maximum rate per unit and standing charge that can be billed to customers for their energy use, rising by 10% on the previous quarter from October 1 to December 2024.

“Along with the £300 cut to winter fuel allowance, Scottish pensioners will also face an average increase in their energy costs of £190 adding up to pensioners in Scotland having to find up to £500 this winter to pay their energy costs,” added Sean.

“This is a disgrace and completely unacceptable.”

As well as sending the letter, Sean also had a message for East Renfrewshire's MP Blair McDougall who voted in September against a motion to block the government's plans to means-test the benefits.

"The decision to vote for this cut is shameful and I would urge McDougall to reverse his position on this issue given that people will die this winter," said Sean.

Speaking about his decision at the time, the Labour MP said: “Although the winter fuel payment has been devolved to the Scottish Government, there was a vote today in the UK Parliament on the issue.

“I voted to target payments to those most in need.”

“Today was a hard decision, but one which will allow us to build for the long-term,” he added.

“Investing to get NHS waiting lists down, cutting our energy bills and ensuring our kids have a better future.”

(Image: Newsquest) After posting the letter, Sean and the STO organised a protest outside Glasgow’s Scottish Power Buildings, which took place yesterday (Thursday, October 3).

The angry protesters who gathered outside the St Vincent Street premises reiterated the claim that “thousands will die this winter” as a result of fuel poverty.

Sean Clerkin at the protest in Glasgow yesterdaySean Clerkin at the protest in Glasgow yesterday (Image: Newsquest)

A UK Government spokesperson said: “Winter heating support is a devolved matter in Scotland. 

"We are working closely with the Scottish Government to make this as smooth a transition as possible, and more importantly ensure eligible pensioners continue to receive support they are entitled to, including boosting take-up of Pension Credit and increasing the State Pension by up to £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the Triple Lock.”

Blair McDougall have been contacted for further comment.