Scottish pensioners who lost out on winter fuel payments this year are to receive a new Holyrood benefit next year, the government has confirmed.

The payment will not be ready until late 2025, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville told parliament.

She said that every pensioner would receive the new benefit next winter, but that wealthier recipients would get a smaller payment of £100.

The UK government scrapped universal entitlement to winter fuel payments – which are set at either £200 or £300 – earlier this year, with only those on Pension Credit or other benefits eligible.

The Scottish government, which was supposed to introduce a replacement universal benefit north of the border in April, said Labour’s decision meant it had no choice but to push its plans back until late 2025.

The change means an estimated 900,000 pensioners in Scotland are losing out on the payment this winter.