More than £800,000 in winter heating support paid in Clacks

The payments, totalling more than £800,000, were part of a £37.3 million package from Social Security Scotland, which helped more than half a million households across the country.

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, said: "Financial support for pensioners, families and children during the winter months is better in Scotland than it is in the rest of the UK because of decisions taken by the SNP.

"These benefits are an example of the difference the SNP is making in government here in Scotland and have delivered hundreds of thousands of pounds in additional support for winter heating bills to thousands of pensioners and families in my Clackmannanshire and Dunblane constituency."

Mr Brown also criticised the Labour Party in Westminster for reducing heating cost assistance for pensioners.

He said: "I am delighted that the SNP is doing everything it can to ensure that the experience in Scotland is very different.

"The Programme for Government, revealed this week, outlines legislative plans for the coming year and includes assurances that, whatever Labour do in London, winter support for all pensioners will continue in Scotland."