John Swinney has suggested that pensioners in Scotland will receive help with their bills following cuts to winter fuel payments.
At a speech in Edinburgh on Wednesday, the first minister declined to set out details of the new support package but said that measures were to be unveiled today.
Mr Swinney said that his administration recognised “the seriousness of the situation” faced by pensioners and that there was a “necessity for support”.
The SNP initially followed the UK government in restricting access to winter fuel payments but has since recognised the need to reinstate support for elderly Scots.
The move comes after Holyrood received a £5billion boost to its finances following Labour's budget which has freed up resources
Mr Swinney said: “The government has been looking at all of these issues for some time, because we recognise the seriousness of the situation that is faced by pensioners in Scotland, given the colder climate here and the necessity for support.
“I certainly want to make sure that the government does as much as it can to address the practical challenges and issues people face in their lives.
“There are possible steps that could be taken within Scotland to ameliorate the difficulties that are faced by pensioners living in a colder climate without winter fuel payments.”