Chamber and committees

Action on pensioner poverty is happening on a UK and Scottish level. Changes to taxes and benefits are improving pensioners entitlements. VAT on household fuel has been reduced from 8% to 5%. From April 1999, pensioners have a guaranteed minimum income of not less than £75 a week, and pensioner couples £116 a week. Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners will rise from £20 to £100 minimum from December 1999. To complement these changes, a range of measures will be promoted to ensure that the needs of older people on low incomes are met. For example, the Scottish Warm Deal to tackle fuel poverty specifically targets pensioners on benefit, and we are committed to encouraging the improvement and integration of concessionary fare schemes.