Alasdair Allan, the SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, has said that "weak" Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour have chosen to bow to their Westminster bosses over standing up for vulnerable pensioners in the islands.

The majority of Labour MSPs voted against a motion in Holyrood calling for the UK government to reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment - confirming their support to remove the vital payment to 880,000 Scottish pensioners.

SNP MSPs across Scotland voted to demand that the Labour UK government urgently reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment this winter.  

Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:

"Today Anas Sarwar and Labour in Scotland made their choice - it is more important for them to save Sir Keir Starmer embarrassment than to  stand up for vulnerable pensioners in the Western Isles; a region that already faces the highest levels of fuel poverty.

“Not even the Labour Party members at their Liverpool Conference could support and stomach this austerity measure.

"This shameful move today shows just how weak and powerless Anas Sarwar is - the people of Scotland will see right through him and his desperate attempts to justify cruel cuts being made by Labour in Westminster. 

"All Labour in Scotland offer is to rubber stamp damaging decisions made in Westminster - only the SNP is focused on supporting those who need it most in the Western Isles.

“Despite the weakness of Labour MSPs, I hope the Chancellor takes note of the Scottish Parliament’s decision today.”