CUNNINGHAME North MSP Kenneth Gibson has criticised Scottish Labour for voting against a motion pushing for a reversal of the winter fuel payment cuts - and has questioned why Labour West of Scotland MSP Katy Clark didn't vote at all.

In the Scottish Parliament, a total of 14 Labour MSPs by voting against the motion that "the Parliament agrees in this Challenge Poverty Week that the UK Government must reverse the introduction of means testing for the Winter Fuel Payment”.

MSP Kenneth Gibson said: "A total of 14 Labour MSPs shamefully put their supine loyalty to Keir Starmer before Scotland’s pensioners by voting against this motion.

MSP Kenneth Gibson is fuming over 14 Scottish Labour MSP's siding with controversial winter fuel allowance cutsMSP Kenneth Gibson is fuming over 14 Scottish Labour MSP's siding with controversial winter fuel allowance cuts (Image: Newsquest)

"Former Labour Leader Richard Leonard and former Acting Leader Alex Rowley voted with the SNP.

"Five Labour MSPs – including Baroness Katy Clark of Kilwinning and Monica Lennon – both of whom had been in the Chamber this afternoon, didn’t have the courage to vote at all. One other was unwell.

"Sir Keir Starmer’s UK Government has pressed ahead with plans to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to recipients of Pension Credit – despite warnings this would miss out a huge number of pensioners living in poverty.

Labour MSP Katy Clark did not vote on motion at Scottish Parliament on TuesdayLabour MSP Katy Clark did not vote on motion at Scottish Parliament on Tuesday (Image: Newsquest)

"892,527 pensioners across Scotland, including 71,152 across Ayrshire, will miss out on the payment of £200 - rising to £300 for more vulnerable pensioners aged 80 or older - this winter.

"Labour’s own analysis suggests up to 4,000 additional deaths from hypothermia could result across the UK as a result of this cut.

"Instead of standing up to their London bosses, with two notable exceptions, Labour MSPs in their Holyrood branch office have shown the height of their ambition is to rubber-stamp Keir Starmer’s cuts.

"Scotland’s pensioners deserve better."

The winter fuel allowance payment cut has caused huge friction in the Labour party, with North Ayrshire Labour councillors unanimously refusing to back the move, while constituency Labour MP Irene Campbell voted in favour of the controversial cuts.

MSP Katy Clark has been contacted for comment.