Analysis on number of winter deaths predicted due to winter fuel payment cuts: FOI release

Information requested

Analysis and communications (emails, messages) about the number of winter deaths predicted or increased winter mortality figures as a result of the cuts to winter fuel payments this autumn and winter.

Response

The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for because the Scottish Government has not carried out such analysis and therefore has no communications linked to any analysis. You may wish to contact National Records of Scotland (NRS), who are responsible for publishing statistics on deaths in Scotland.

A media release following the UK Governments announcement can be found here: UK Government decision ends universal fuel payments - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

I can advise that regulations for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 25 September 2024.

The regulations were accompanied by published impact assessments, as required by legislation. These assessments take into consideration the decision to restrict PAWHP eligibility to those in receipt of relevant eligible benefits and are required to assess whether the change will impact on various different areas, such as, child rights and wellbeing, businesses, Island Community’s and the likely equalities impacts. The published impact assessment documents can be found at the following links:

• The Winter Heating Assistance (Pension Age) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (legislation.gov.uk).
• Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment (FSD) - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

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