At Labour's annual conference, delegates supported a union motion to reverse cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment, which will affect nearly 900,000 pensioners in Scotland. Despite this, the government has stated that the policy will not change, leading to criticism from Labour leaders, including MSP Elena Whitham and Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham. Graham described the cut as 'cruel' and called for investment rather than austerity, emphasizing that Labour was elected to bring about change, not to impose cuts on the vulnerable. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has also highlighted the distress among retirees who are now forced to choose between heating and eating. A motion pushed by unions at the conference advocates for the reversal of means testing for the Winter Fuel Payment and an end to fiscal rules that limit investment. Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged concerns but reiterated that economic stabilization is the priority for long-term plans.