ENERGY CRISIS: HOME HEATING SUPPORT FUND FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ENERGY BILLS

By Lucy Ashton 

Jackie Baillie has welcomed a home heating support fund which will help people struggling with their energy bills amid a growing cost of living crisis.

Individual households can now apply directly to the £4million fund at www.homeheatingadvice.scot/household-registration to help them with soaring energy bills.

Last year, a poll found that nearly a third of Scots had rationed their energy use so they could afford to spend money on other goods and services.

With recent price rises and a further steep increase in bills due next month, there are growing concerns about the impact on households. Figures compiled be Energy Action Scotland earlier in the year showed 29 percent of people in West Dunbartonshire and 32 percent of people in Argyll and Bute  in fuel poverty.

The £4million Scottish Government scheme, administered by national advice service Advice Direct Scotland, is designed to prevent households falling into fuel poverty and help those ‘rationing’ their energy use.

Registrations for help can be made until 31^st of March, and more than 400 charities, organisations and advisers have already signed up as ‘referral partners’ so they can make applications on behalf of their clients.

Eligibility is based on households which are ‘self-rationing’ their energy, meaning those who are deliberately limiting their energy use so that they can afford to spend money on other essentials.

Jackie Baillie, pictured right, Dumbarton constituency MSP, has encouraged any local residents struggling to seek support.

She said: “I know many people who are struggling to keep their households going at the moment and bills are set to rise even further next month.

“It is a really worrying time but I am pleased that there is support available and I would urge anyone who feels they could benefit from this fund to find out more and apply.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “This fund is making a massive difference for Scots who are facing huge debts and are being forced to cut back on essentials to heat their homes.

“We have already issued more than £1 million on behalf of the Scottish Government to support Scots struggling with their energy bills.

“More and more referral partners are registering to help their clients as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.

“We’re pleased that we can now make it possible for direct household applications via an online form.

“Our advisers are working hard to provide free advice to people across Scotland at this difficult time for so many, and more and more referral partners are registering to help their clients as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.”