John Swinney had promised every pensioner £100 but now only those with an income less than £35,000 will receive help
John Swinney had promised every pensioner £100 but now only those with an income less than £35,000 will receive help
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First Minister’s pledge on the means-tested benefit is a ‘humiliating U-turn’ for the SNP, say Scottish Tories
Scottish ministers control the benefit north of the border, and they will receive extra funding from the Treasury
Claimants would receive less if they had another source of income and the payment would ‘gently’ taper off as earnings increased
Quarter of pensioners will receive payment but have to return it via PAYE or tax returns
Bill has snowballed as Scottish Government cuts budgets for health and social services to tackle financial pressures
Rise in public sector pay also shows John Swinney’s government is ‘living beyond its means’, say Tories
