John Swinney rattled as Douglas Ross accuses SNP of wanting winter fuel payment cut BEFORE Labour

[@daffytree2605]

The snp are STILL giving £300 million a year to bus companies for the under 22 bus pass, that just shows what the snp priorities are.

[@paulmorgan6269]

Your correct. I live in Elgin, and one of our drivers was killed a few months ago when these very passes allowed the youths to get here. Remove them now.

[@DavidHill-s3c]

Why do the other parties not see the complete waste of money this is . Irvine town is like a school playground on weekends with teenagers running around. Also the misuse of cards whole families are using their children’s cards for themselves as there is no policing of them.

[@Bigelephant-h6y]

Stupid waste of money.

[@criticalThinkerLad]

SNP have my support Time to get moving whilst we still have the opportunity

[@Bigelephant-h6y]

@@criticalThinkerLad Labour by a different name only difference is they hate the UK.They’ve destroyed Scotland.

[@scottholmesfootball2785]

Here is question they must ask why is there enough money for Angus Robertson’s £350m on constitutional and international affairs which are reserved to Westminster but cannot afford £160m for the winter fuel payment. It’s about priorities and the SNP’s are all wrong!

[@keithduff8158]

£150 million to private bus companies so they can be electric 😅plus no budget cut to airmiles Robinson department 😅

[@iainhair6888]

Just demonstrates how powerless and a waste of time they all are !!

[@vtechead1]

They are all sitting behind Swinney, with looks on their faces that say, give it a rest John, nobody believes your excuses, we’re finished.

[@iansoutar5324]

Change the record Swinney, stop blaming others, the money wasted by the SNP is eye watering. What a pity Swinney won't take lessons from anyone,if he did we wouldn't be in mess we are now in.

[@carolkilpatrick6674]

The people of Scotland will take no lessons from John Sweeny!!!!!!!

[@Stephan74]

The snp will go down as the biggest miss management of any government in history. Yet some people would still vote for them. 😂

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

They are not asbad as keir starmer and Rachel theives I want independence and of we had independence we could choose our own government but I will tell you one thing I wouldn't have the tories and certainly would never vote for the Labour Party after what they have done to pensioners and their is worse to come in the October budget I hope the don't last long I hope they get booted out soon I am ashamed of the Scottish people that voted for the Labour Party but I am also ashamed of the snp copying keir starmer and Rachel theives by stopping the winter fuel payments for pensioners why does both governments not tackle the rich that afford it instead of the poor

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

And the pensioners

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

Iwould never vote labour or the tories they are both not for the people I am ashamed of the scots that voted for Labour I hope the don't last long and are booted out what they have done to the pensioners is disgusting and I am ashamed ot the Scottish government for copying the Westminster government to stop the winter fuel payments Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 is a colder country they need to tackle the rich instead of the poor and pensioners it awfull

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

And their is worse to come in the October budget

[@Bigelephant-h6y]

@@barbaraurquhart2276 SNP are crap too

[@eldescanso2067]

This waste of space and expensive council chamber should be disbanded asap.

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

They should shut down Westminster government and downing Street and the house of Lords

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

Then they will save a lot of money instead of picking on the pensioners

[@colincampbell815]

@@barbaraurquhart2276muppet😂😂😂

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

@@colincampbell815 talking about yourself are yourself are you

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

@@colincampbell815 talking about yourself are you

[@kevinrowan1316]

Spinney not answering the question

[@malcolmmorrison9395]

How about cutting your wage bill Swinney

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

What about keir starmer and Rachel theives not cut their wages and expenses and taking money for thei winter fuel pensioners have no chance under labour

[@malcolmmorrison9395]

@@barbaraurquhart2276 nor under SNP etc Al remember SNP cut coldweather payments all bad as each other

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

@@malcolmmorrison9395 yes I know but labour are even worse there is not a government alive that works for the people and the country but labour have got to be the worst government ever even worse than the tories and their is worse to come in the October budget and its the pensioners that are always getting picked on its disgusting

[@blackislepeastoo]

On top of that spend highlighted by @daffytree, they are also paying wind farm operators £ 275,000,000 (2023) either NOT to generate electricity via a subsidy when electricity is created & used OR *compensation for losing that subsidy, when not used* . Meanwhile, it's stuff the pensioners they'll get no support and have to pay an inflated price *EVEN THOUGH THE OPERATORS ARE QUIDS IN ANYWAY* .

[@RoderickCampbell-j4c]

The SNP has clearly said it wants to end oil production and end "uncontrolled car use in Scotland" so what future did Grangemouth have under a SNP government.

[@cliffhardie3341]

I think if you look you will find that it was the Westminster government that offered the owner of this plant millions of pounds to relocate it to Holland,thus circumnavigating the Scottish gov tax incomes revenues income ,and on that note how can a country with no oil reserves of its own ,have four refineries that are doing quite well.

[@chucterloon]

Is that Rod Stewart in the yellow jacket acting like a nodding dog on a back window behind honest John?

[@trevorhart545]

I TH0UGHT SHE WAS PART 0F THE FIXTURES, SHE SEEMS T0 BE THERE N0DDING AWAY F0R YEARS, ALWAYS IN CAMERA SH0T. IN THE 1960S PE0PLE HAD N0DDING D0GS 0N THE REAR WIN0W SHELF 0F CARS, MAYBE SNP ARE RETR0?

[@carolmullen4218]

Christine Graham is always like the Churchill dog

[@Bigelephant-h6y]

😂

[@RobertKennedy-n5i]

200 million wasted on ferries

[@PLeon-kd1yd]

More like half a billion

[@Andrew-tr5zg]

Another "green" coffin nail for British industry, this type of industry security of supply should be in public control although judging by the Scottish par-lie-ment's record and 2 tier keir in charge I wouldn't hold out much hope of it being saved.

[@Tonypoolebcfc]

Swinney has been promoted well above his compliance

[@theolderigetthewrongbitget4746]

I'd say they are all out their depths.

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

@@Tonypoolebcfc what about the wages of keir starmer and Rachel theives and thei expenses and donations even for clothes disgusting they even get heating allowance but the pensioners

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

@@Tonypoolebcfc but a lot of the pensioners don't get heating allowance and they are not rich

[@BrianMartin-b6q]

I find it disgusting that SNP could give thousands to foreign countries but can’t look after Scottish Pensioners. I wrote to my Labour councillor but his response was to blame SNP. I Don’t like Douglas Ross but it’s good he’s trying to look after our elderly.

[@desydukuk291]

He doesn't like you and I get why he doesn't.

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

What about the tories and now keir starmer giving money to Israel and Ukraine taking it of the pensioners to give aid to other countries and they are still taking money for expenses and their own fuel payments that the pensioners also pay for as well

[@BobBob-p8m]

Kate Forbes looks really uncomfortable listening to John Swinney.

[@freeforester1717]

Blimey, I though it was Sir Rod - motherhood obviously not agreeable, then..

[@robertmcallan131]

Forbes 'uncomfortable', REALLY? Forbes collaborated with Gove in order to ensure Grangemouth and the Forth ports would be turned into an economic desert by proposing FREEPORTS for the benefit of offshored tax evaders and vulture capital parasites. Forbes and Swinney along with the rest of the SNP did absolutely nothing in the way of campaigning to save that facility from closure. It should have been a major campaign issue at the recent General Election but was ignored. Scotland has been colonised and the SNP continue to be complicit in ensuring the status quo!!

[@johncrawford8214]

She is no better

[@stewartross1233]

Didn't take her long to sell her soul when she got a hint of power.

[@BobBob-p8m]

@@stewartross1233 Absolutely, really disappointed in her, just another power junkie

[@colinmacfarlane6838]

Mr white white white yousaf seems to have disappeared 😅

[@Bigelephant-h6y]

He is threatening to leave Europe.Hes also trying to sue Elon Musk.😂

[@JohnZokas-hf3qw]

Good on you Douglas Ross you were the only real deal holding them to account over the years… exposing there incompetence… I will miss your integrity …. No one likes the truth tellers….

[@barbaraurquhart2276]

I don't think the snp should be stopping the winter payments for pensioners but I can't stand double standards Douglas Ross

[@mariusanderson358]

Still didn’t answer the question! FOI perhaps 🤔

[@carolkilpatrick6674]

Plumbing the depths that’s rich comming from John Sweeny!!!!!!!🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@derekedgley5074]

Why can’t the government take over the Grangemouth refinery and run it as a going concern when after all it supplies 14% fuel for Scotland. Without it, one would assume much higher prices through foreign suppliers

[@JanetteGardner]

The Glum Party

[@DavidAllison-z3e]

These people are frankly embarrassing. My 14 year old do better.

[@derekjarman5156]

It’s the fault of Westminster yet again.

[@jamesmason8944]

With the state the country is heading into, some of the older generation are praying for a severe winter. Hope is gone.

[@SuperKanonier]

Why does Bald Eagle Swinney always sound as if he is about to burst into tears at any moment?

[@ericlackford6718]

His nasal cavities are blocked from too much brown nosing.

[@SuperKanonier]

​@@ericlackford6718And his mooth's a' broon!

[@GRUMPY0254]

Christine Graham is off with the fairies.

[@williamwalsis]

The nodding donkey

[@scottholmesfootball2785]

😂😂

[@trevorhart545]

IS THAT THE N0DDING 0NE ALWAYS IN CAMERA SH0T?

[@roberthalbert748]

I wouldn't like to sit in front of her!

[@wotdoesthisbuttondo]

What on earth is on the mind of tha twitchy wobbly woman behind Swinney? is she haunted by terrible guilt of something? Why does the camera operator appear to deliberately shroud reactions of rude noisy SNP ministers?, do they pull hideous facial expressions which would repulse the public or something or is the camera operator simply simply biased protecting the SNP from scrutiny therefore should be fitred?

[@colinlambert882]

I can’t believe that JS finally answered Douglas’s question. I have cut £160 million from winter fuel because I’ve got a whopping unfunded £800+ million bill for public sector workers’ pay increases. Teachers, nurses et cetera and children are a bigger priority to me than ‘has beens’ on low pensions

[@thomassmith8891]

What are you spending our taxpayers money on, we the public want to know now.

[@RoderickCampbell-j4c]

Less budget means less money to embezzle, misappropriate or steal.

[@stevenb2366]

Turn off the heating/air conditioning in Holyrood and all other Scottish Government buildings as well as Bute House for starters that Parliament and all in it is the biggest waste of money especially as they just copy and paste from Westminster anyway

[@Mikey4488Co]

Could not get the elderly in the care homes with covid ,will just let them freeze in there homes this winter!!

[@basicconcepts1d]

They refer to the elderly as useless eaters and a burden on the Country. That's the thanks we get for working like a slave for 50 years.

[@mkeith152]

The greens will be delighted but this has been known about for the last year and more

[@RalphDuff]

You go Douglas❤

[@MikeH401]

Swinney stated: “Scotland faces the most challenging financial circumstances in the devolution era and has no alternative but to replicate this decision which will impact tens of thousands of pensioners in Scotland.” As this payment was scheduled to become a devolved responsibility in October 2024 the decision was decided earlier this year that means test it, along with the name change to Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. So Swinney made the decision to means test the winter fuel payment for Scottish pensioners.😊

[@delboy3425]

Close down the stupid Embassies,the amount of money wasted by the SNP is shameful

[@graemetodd3069]

Nice one Douglas..........Sticking the boot in, with calm and sincerity.

[@stewartross1233]

Its never their fault!

[@desydukuk291]

Swinney doublespeak.

[@lesleys3751]

There’s a reason IMO that both Westminster and SNP haven’t done a risk assessment for the winter fuel payment change in policy and that’s because pensioners are a soft target. Cut payments to train drivers, NHS staff etc and they will go on strike. Pensioners only source of redress is through the ballot box and they should exercise that avenue come the Holyrood election. That’s if they haven’t all mostly perished during the winter, which let’s face it, would be a benefit to political budgets. Just think how that would reduce public expenditure on pensions! A cynical view I know, but what else can one think, when swinging cuts are made with little or no thought to the consequences.

[@mikee66]

How many pensioners will be able to keep warm for the price of one of Fat Angus Robertsons unauthorised foreign jollies?

[@WeeShoeyDugless]

So, swinney is asking Westminster to help out in Grangemouth in one breath and blaming them for the pensioners distress in the next. Take the 160 million out of airmiles angus' budget. Job done!!

[@FruitForBreakfast]

Gawd they are awful... 😢

[@tammyannejohnston..6769]

These are the industries that Scotland need to keep, cherish & appreciate.

[@Alannelson1000]

I simply dont know why SNP politicians obviously hate English Conservative MPs, I really dont think this attitude should be adopted by any member of any Parliament.

[@charlesfalconer6231]

The snp & greens will be jumping for joy with grangemouth closing !! they will be saying -- wow !! look how green & planet saving we are !! north sea oil will be next !!

[@tom5216]

North sea oil has already been taken care of by Ed Milliband.

[@Truthteller886]

Start drilling for oil again you goons

[@RoderickCampbell-j4c]

They know they'll need to leave Scotland to find any skilled work.

[@mikee66]

How long will it be before we get a new presiding officer? This biased Green fool is rubbish!

[@johnfisher7587]

There is nobody in the SNP know what they are doing. They all look like zombies,the lights are on but nobody is home

[@JanetteGardner]

Had SNP given the pensioners winter fuel allowance I'm sure a Mexican wave would have happened by the MSPs in the chamber shame on SNP removing pensioners source of affording heating their homes

[@Behrajan1]

SNP so far out of touch with working class scottish ppl, thts why thy lost so many seats. Ppl sick goingbout working thyr arses of n can't even get doctors appointment thy rather give give give to ppl who haven't contributed a penny, couldn't run a menage

[@e.linconc1021]

I hear they are going to close grangemouth what are you going do about this? We all need to down tools if you allow this to happen. Poor show SNP

[@willewinky]

The SNP taking over Scotrail was the ultimate act of folly. When John Swinney talks about public sector pay rises he also includes Scotrail who's general grade staff received 4.5% pay rises recently. Scotrail itself budgeted for a max deal of 3.5%, where is the extra money to come from? Scotrail, a loss making company, should still be run under a franchise agreements because pay deals, service standards are down to the franchise holders. The Scottish Government could exert pressure via fines if the company didn't meet standards. The SNP are absolute buffoons.

[@mikemaguire8692]

Johnny Swindle strikes again

[@lesclark1363]

Blah Blah Blah brainwashed John Swinney Tells lies all the time

[@RonnieWeir-u5g]

How would you fund the WFP if you were independent?

[@Ulster96789]

Sadly this is just the begining.i still want to know the contents of mathisons laptop.

[@b.nichols3255]

What about cutting the wasted cash paid out to the "pretendy Embassies". Would that not help the Scottish budget?

[@graemetimoney7002]

Far from being rattled Swinney put Ross in his place. That place being insignificance.

[@lindymcdonald8945]

My husband said they can't close Grangemouth becAuse the forties field runs through it

[@hugowallace6094]

SNP are a national.

[@garybarnett2756]

Is that rod stewart sitting behind John swinney.

[@johnfisher7587]

We could do with that Guy Fox, he would know what to do

[@timetraveller9321]

Who’s guy fox?

[@timetraveller9321]

Sorry couldn’t i do agree with you but he was only going to do London I don’t think that Hollywood has a cellar

[@johnfisher7587]

@@timetraveller9321 don’t you know. I just spelt his name different

[@kennydavidson7280]

English cuts affect everything in Scotland and we pay taxes to England getting a lot less back we need independence to sort this mess out

[@timetraveller9321]

And yet these clowns will keep their winter fuel allowance payments despite a basic £91,000 plus expenses plus second and third jobs and freebies and gifts and big fat pension meanwhile pensioners on £13,000 get nothing

[@NicolMackinnon]

How the hell can you put a figure on how many people will die because of funding cuts

[@ChaucerMilo]

284 Lakin Road

[@lynxonyx-w3j]

Don't worry snp Putin still supports you

[@colincampbell815]

Rod Stewart the nodding dog in the background

[@county8815]

BS total BS , the jobs are gone and won’t be coming back . SNP will do Nothing except talk . Scotland is a done deal for zero

[@TheRaminski]

And it can be blamed on all the fools that fell for the CON that is Climate change, people need to wake up pronto and see this for what it really is.