East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson hosted an energy advice surgery in the town to encourage constituents to get help with their energy bills.
The surgery, at the Meeting Place in the town centre, was in conjunction with Older and Active in East Kilbride, the EK Citizens Advice Bureau and Scottish Gas.
Given the current cost-of-living crisis, local residents learned more about the financial support available from government, the third sector and energy companies, as well as about energy efficiency tips.
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.
The Scottish Government has invested millions to ensure as many people as possible can get support.
This includes: the home heating support fund – to prevent households from falling into fuel poverty; the fuel insecurity fund – to help people at risk of self-disconnection or rationing their energy use; funding for social housing tenants and funding to the Fuel Bank Foundation, offering support for prepayment meter users at risk of self-disconnection.
Speaking after the event, Collette Stevenson MSP said: “With recent price rises and a further steep increase in bills due in April, there are growing concerns about the impact on households.
“We need to see real action from the Tory Chancellor to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. He should introduce an emergency budget to support families and individuals before we see thousands plunged deeper into poverty.
“Alongside funding for a range of grants, the Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary Kate Forbes MSP recently confirmed that the vast majority of households – those in council tax bands A-D or in receipt of council tax reduction – will soon receive a £150 payment to help towards rising bills.
“Energy companies often have discretionary grants to help customers. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with the rising cost of energy to get in touch with their supplier, the Citizens Advice Bureau or my office so that we can ensure people can get help.”
Households in East Kilbride and across Scotland can now apply directly to the Scottish Government’s £4m home heating support fund to help with soaring energy bills.
The fund is administered by national advice service Advice Direct Scotland and is designed to prevent households falling into fuel poverty and help those ‘rationing’ their energy use.
Applicants will need to provide evidence they have received advice from an accredited debt or energy advice agency.
Targeted funding will reflect each individual’s circumstances, with extra support available for households where one person is over 75, living with a disability or illness, and/or living in a remote or island community.
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.
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 £1m 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."
To apply, phone 0808 800 9060 or head online.
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