Govan Law Centre’s (GLC) Rachel Moon, Partner and Lorna Walker, Senior Solicitor attended a press conference in Edinburgh yesterday (26 September 2024) to support and speak to the winter fuel payment judicial review challenge.
Our clients’ petition was formally served on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (SoS) and the Scottish Government (SG) on Wednesday, 25 September 2024.
The petitioners are now ineligible for the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) – like millions of retired citizens across the UK who do not claim or qualify for Pension Credit – because of decisions of the SoS and SG.
The press conference heard from the petitioners, Peter Fanning and Florence Fanning. Mr Fanning said: “We intend to sue both the London and Scottish governments, since both are guilty through action and inaction, of damaging the welfare of pensioners”.
“We are hoping to be successful, given the manifest injustice involved, however, my work as a trade unionist and shop steward has taught me that some battles are worth fighting regardless of the outcome – I believe this is one such battle.”
GLC’s Rachel Moon said: “Quite simply, [government] should have considered this rigorously. This policy and the decisions taken affect those with protected characteristics, including age and disability, and it affects 10 million people.”
The petitioners were supported by former First Minister, Alex Salmond and former MP, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.
The press conference has been widely reported across the UK, including the following media outlets:
BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0egy1kv0qo
Money Saving Expert https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2024/09/winter-fuel-payments-legal-challenge/
Glasgow Times https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/24612408.martin-lewis-shares-key-update-winter-fuel-payment-legal-challenge/
The Herald https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24611216.legal-challenge-mounted-winter-fuel-payment-cut/
Scottish Daily Express https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/john-swinney-faces-legal-challenge-33760091
Daily Express https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/1953726/martin-lewis-says-all-state-pensioners-winter
Liverpool Echo https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/pensioners-start-legal-action-against-30018332
The Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/martin-lewis-explains-millions-people-33764731
Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-government-alex-salmond-pensioners-rachel-reeves-scottish-b1184326.html
Daily Record https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scots-pensioners-launch-winter-fuel-33760482
The National https://www.thenational.scot/news/24611065.uk-scottish-governments-facing-legal-action-winter-fuel-payment/
