Scotland Election: What have the parties promised on pensioner poverty?

With new MSPs elected to the Scottish Parliament, Senior Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Officer Malcolm Sayers explores the different parties’ commitments when it comes to poverty in later life.

With the polls closed and votes counted, we prepare to welcome our next Scottish Parliament.

Around 130,000 people in Scotland live in poverty but with an ageing population, a rising State Pension age and declining healthy life expectancy, we expect to see many more older people pulled into financial hardship over the next five years.

This should ring a clear alarm bell. We believe this growing issue must become a central focus for Holyrood.

Ahead of the election, we laid out our policy priorities in a manifesto championing the voices of older people on low incomes. Here’s how our recommendations compare with the parties’ commitments…

1. A national pensioner poverty strategy

To help reduce pensioner poverty in Scotland we need planned and coordinated action to increase incomes, reduce costs and improve housing conditions. That’s why we’ve been campaigning for a national pensioner poverty strategy to systematically tackle the factors that cause, or worsen, poverty in older age.

9 in 10 pensioners in the most deprived areas support this call. It’s time for action.

What the parties said: Scottish Greens Committed to establish a legally-backed Pensioner Poverty strategy, following the model that is beginning to work for child poverty. This will require Scottish Government targets for the reduction of poverty faced by older people and plans to reach them.

2. An Older People’s Commissioner

Independent of government, an Older People’s Commissioner would amplify older voices and collaborate across governments and institutions to develop impactful policies.

Disappointingly, no party committed to a Commissioner despite its potential. While Scottish Labour has committed to reforming the Commissioner landscape, what this means for older people is unclear. With our ageing population and a need for greater representation, it’s vital that older people have a strong voice within government and across society.

Statistics taken from our 2025 Security not struggle manifesto

3. A decent social security system

Despite positive steps taken over the last Parliament to improve the social security system, Holyrood has the tools and powers to do more.

When they reach state pension age, carers lose their entitlement to Carer Support Payment which is why we have been calling for a Special Recognition Payment to support those on a low income.

People with disabilities or health conditions applying for Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) after they reach state pension age are not currently entitled to mobility support payments, unlike working-age or child applicants. We think this is discriminatory and have been calling for a review of PADP with a focus on introducing support with the cost of moving around for those in financial hardship.

A Minimum Income Guarantee would provide an income floor that nobody would be able to fall below and level of service support for people throughout their lives. It’s a simple idea made up of many actions with the power to transform society.

What the parties said: Scottish Greens Committed to reviewing the Carer Support Payment to examine feasibility of improvements such as offering support to carers who claim the State Pension; ensuring older disabled people can access the same mobility payments as younger disabled people; implementing the recommendations of the Minimum Income Guarantee group; improving take-up through automation of social security where possible and the introduction of legally binding target; and, reviewing the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payment systems.

Scottish Labour Committed to standardising delivery of the Scottish Welfare Fund, to ensure it is targeted towards preventing homelessness, end the postcode lottery of access and improve integration with local money advice services; and, to prioritise the efficiency and effectiveness of Social Security Scotland, ensuring that it delivers for those who rely on payments and resources are reaching those most in need.

Statistics taken from our 2025 Security not struggle manifesto

4. Reducing energy bills

Around one in three older households live in fuel poverty. Nearly half live in a home with a poor energy efficiency rating making it costly and difficult to keep warm. Despite welcome investments over the last Parliament, the legally-binding 2031 fuel poverty targets look likely to be missed.

We’ve been calling for a new Warm Homes Programme for low-income pensioners, improvements to existing schemes and for parties to set out plans for eradicating fuel poverty so that every older person can be warm at home.

What the parties said: Scottish Conservatives Committed to restore the Cold Weather Payment for pensioners, whilst keeping the current Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

Scottish Greens Committed to expand energy efficiency support and to re-introduce the Heat in Buildings Bill.

Scottish Labour Committed to implement a national Warm Homes Programme; expand eligibility for Warmer Homes Scotland by reducing the age criteria from 75 to 70; and, the automatic roll out for the Warm Homes Discount.

Scottish Liberal Democrats Committed to an emergency insulation programme; introducing a Fairer Heating Bill; a price cap for oil; and, support an energy social tariff.

SNP Committed to provide Winter Heating Payments to pensioners; re-introduce the Heat in Buildings Bill; and, to support the cost of electricity for equipment prescribed for use in the home.

Reform Committed to require Energy Price Impact Statements so there is transparency for the public about the effect of policy on their energy bills.

5. The right to a secure and affordable home

Suitable housing should be a basic human right. But too many older people are stuck within a housing system that isn’t delivering enough secure and affordable homes.

We’ve been calling for more affordable social homes, improved access to Discretionary Housing Payments to support rent shortfalls, and for the right to housing in Scots law.

What the parties said: Scottish Conservatives Committed to evaluate the impact of the ‘ask and act’ pilot to prevent homelessness and if successful aim to implement this approach more widely.

Scottish Greens Committed to building at least 15,700 more social homes each year between now and 2031; introducing a statutory target to end homelessness by 2040; increasing the notice period for eviction to 4 months; restoring the ban on most evictions between November and March; capping rents in Rent Control Areas; restoring the interim rent controls; and, improving renters’ rights and information.

Scottish Liberal Democrats Committed to building an average of 25,000 homes of all types built each year.

Scottish Labour Committed to building 125,000 new homes over the next Parliament, including 50,000 affordable homes; reforming the Scottish Welfare Fund to help avoid homelessness in the first place; and, establishing a strategy for the Private Rented Sector.

SNP Committed to building 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 backed by £4.9 billion and a new Scottish housing agency; and to a £50m Homelessness Prevention Fund over 10 years.

Reform Committed to empower local authorities to build 75,000 homes through changing the planning system.

After the votes are counted

Independent Age believes no one should face poverty in later life. Based on the welcome commitments across party manifestos, we hope to see meaningful progress for older people on low incomes.

This Parliament must deliver the policies needed to ensure everyone can live a decent and dignified later life. The systems and support we create will be there for older people now and for generations to come.

Poverty in later life is not inevitable. In a wealthy and fair society, we can and must do better.

Make your voice count and help us build a better later life for us all by joining us as a campaigner.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call our free Helpline on 0800 319 6789 or visit our website.