By Democrat reporter
The Labour government’s decision to extend the Warm Homes Discount means over 500,000 Scottish households will now be eligible for relief – one in every five households.
This week Labour announced it was expanding the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme, which helps reduce energy costs for those most in need.
The Labour government’s changes will mean an estimated 220,000 more Scottish households are now eligible for the scheme, with as many as 520,000 households now eligible overall.
In total, this scheme could put up to £75 million in the pockets of lower income Scottish families.
This forms one part of a wider package of support designed to help households struggling with volatile energy costs caused by global gas price spikes this winter and the continued effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
To drive down the cost of living, the Labour government has also:
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delivered at least £41 million in Barnett Consequentials for Scotland by extending the Household Support Fund in England and Wales
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worked with energy suppliers to negotiate a £500 million winter support package for consumers
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announced a comprehensive review of the energy regulator Ofgem, empowering it to facilitate growth and innovation and become a stronger champion for consumers
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drove forward pro-consumer reforms to:
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challenge unlawful back billing and taking action on inaccurate bills
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drive the smart meter rollout
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give every family the option of a zero standing charge tariff, so they have more choice in how they pay for their energy
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ensure there is compensation for wrongful installation of prepayment meters
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helped to keep prices down at the pumps by freezing fuel duty for an additional 12 months, saving motorists £3 billion in 2025 to 2026
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capped the amount that can be deducted cut from Universal Credit payments when repaying short-term loans and debts, saving 1.2 million of the poorest families in the UK £420 a year on average.
The Labour government is also working at pace to deliver in clean power by 2030, which is expected to protect billpayers from the volatility of the energy markets and reduce bills for good.
Commenting, Scottish Labour Social Justice spokesperson Paul O’Kane, left, said “The Labour government has acted swiftly to protect the worst off from the volatility of the global energy markets.
“This expansion of the Warm Home Discount scheme means one in every five Scottish families are now eligible for help with their bills – an extra 220,000 households.
“From expanding this lifeline scheme to delivering a record budget settlement for Scotland, this Labour government has decisively ended Tory austerity and inaction – and this is just the beginning.
“The SNP should also be use the powers it has here in Scotland and Labour’s record budget settlement to support struggling Scots and drive down costs – from scrapping peak rail fares to delivering affordable housing to keeping Council Tax low.”