CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce means testing for winter fuel payments have been ruled out the day after a government document suggested ministers were considering the move.
A discussion paper on how new welfare powers may be used when they are devolved, with a foreword written by Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil, said that it would "consider the eligibility criteria" for the benefit, which is paid out to pensioners regardless of income.
It added that the funding may also be used to provide "warmer, more affordable homes".
The document - Creating a Fairer Scotland - was interpreted as a signal that the SNP may be prepared to scrap or means test the benefit, which is worth up to £300 a year and is paid out to more than a million Scots.
However, the Scottish Government insisted that was not the case, sparking accusations of a u-turn from political opponents.
A government spokeswoman said: "There is absolutely no question of means testing eligibility for the winter fuel allowance - or of removing entitlement from anyone who currently receives it.
"What the consultation is aimed at, is seeing if it would be appropriate and effective to use winter fuel payments as part of our aims to tackle fuel poverty and make homes warmer. This includes looking at whether it is appropriate to extend eligibility and if fuel bill rebates should be considered.
"We want to help people who are struggling to keep their homes warm – and this is one area we are exploring to see if are able to do that."
The Scottish Conservatives accused Mr Neil of performing a u-turn over his position.
Alex Johnstone, one of the party's MSPs, said: "Alex Neil appears to be now saying something vastly different to what was in a document he has only just written.
"This does not bode well for the SNP being able to handle the responsibility of more powers. At the first hint of criticism on a controversial issue, the party has run an absolute mile."
The government paper, published on Monday, said: "Whilst older households are more likely to be in fuel poverty, winter fuel payments are not
Targeted in any way and there is no guarantee that eligible households will use the income to reduce fuel bills.
"With the devolution of cold weather payments and winter fuel payments, we are considering the eligibility criteria, converting the payments into a fuel bill rebate or using the funding to provide warmer more affordable homes for people
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