Summary

  • Scotland's social justice secretary has announced a new winter fuel benefit for Scottish pensioners from late 2025.

  • The existing payment was cancelled by the UK and Scottish governments this winter, except for those already in receipt of Pension Credit.

  • Shirley Anne Somerville says every pensioner household will receive the new benefit - with those in receipt of qualifying benefits like Pension Credit getting £200 or £300 depending on their age, and wealthier pensioners getting £100.

  • Somerville also announces £20m in welfare funding for councils and £20m for the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme

  • Another £1m will go to social landlords and the third sector for homelessness prevention

  • The Conservatives say the pressure on budgets comes from the Scottish government’s own decisions - not those previously made in Westminster

  • Labour MSPs welcome the support, but say £42m is coming to Holyrood as a result of UK government decisions

Live Reporting

  1. Background: Murder of Claire Inglis

    Claire Inglis suffered 76 injuries in the fatal attackINGLIS FAMILY

    Claire Inglis suffered 76 injuries in the fatal attack

    Social services raised concerns about a violent offender weeks before he was deemed fit for bail and went on to murder Claire Inglis.

    Christopher McGowan tortured Claire Inglis before killing her at her flat in Stirling on 28 November 2021.

    Documents seen by the BBC show the case was flagged to social workers in September and they tried to visit the property three days before the killing.

    The council said reports on McGowan were not requested by the courts.

  2. Findlay raises case murder of Claire Inglis

    Russell Findlay raises the case of Claire Inglis who was tortured and murdered by her boyfriend.

    The Scottish Tory leader explains her killer had been released on bail five times despite dozens of convictions.

    "Claire's parents Fiona and Ian are still fighting for answers."

    Findlay asks the FM how much longer they will have to wait to get those answers.

  3. FMQs gets under way

    John Swinney is sitting poised ready in his seat as Russell Findlay gets to his feet to start this week's First Minister's Questions.

  4. Background: New benefit plan to help pensioners with fuel bills

    Hands warmed by electric heaterGetty Images

    Scotland's social justice secretary is expected to announce a new benefit to help pensioners who lost their winter fuel payments.

    The BBC understands the new devolved benefit is to be ready in time for next winter.

    Details about the value of the payments and whether the sum will vary are expected to be set out by Shirley-Anne Somerville in a statement to the Scottish Parliament later.

    The existing winter fuel payment has been cancelled by the UK and Scottish governments this winter, except for those already in receipt of Pension Credit.

    You can watch the statement live with us at 14:40.

    Read more here.

  5. Analysis

    What can we expect from FMQs this week?

    Philip Sim
    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    It’s a very busy day at Holyrood, and thus there are plenty of potential topics for John Swinney to be asked about.

    There are a few bread and butter policies around for the Conservatives.

    There’s the emergency legislation passed by parliament on Tuesday on early release of prisoners.

    Then there’s the gender debate that’s been going on at the Supreme Court this week, which has already seen John Swinney confronted with questions about whether he thinks a man can get pregnant.

    Will Labour push on an open door when it comes to the winter fuel payment? Anas Sarwar’s party has got into a bit of an arms race with the SNP when it comes to this policy, having promised to undo the cuts imposed by their colleagues at Westminster.

    That felt like a bid to get ahead of and try to take some credit for any potential announcement in the budget – will they now try to pre-empt Shirley-Anne Somerville’s announcement this afternoon?

  6. Welcome

    First Minister John Swinney with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (left) and Finance Minister Shona Robison walking up the corridor to the chamber.PA

    First Minister John Swinney with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (left) and Finance Minister Shona Robison

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of this week's First Minister's Questions.

    You can watch the weekly Holyrood political joust here with us, just click on the Watch Live icon at the top of the page.

    This is the last FMQs before next week's Budget so we can expect more horse trading from John Swinney and the Scottish Greens and Scottish Lib Dems, as he seeks a deal for the crucial vote.

    We'll bring you reports and analysis from our correspondents throughout, so stick with us.

    We'll also bring you live coverage of the ministerial statement on supporting older people with increasing energy costs from 14:40.