MP Richard Thomson criticises UK Government over continuing delay on support for off grid energy consumers
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MP Richard Thomson has criticised the Westminster Government for the continuing lack of any detail as to how ‘off grid’ energy consumers will receive their support from the Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme.
In a reply to MP for Gordon Mr Thomson, UK Energy Minister Graham Stuart restated the commitment to make payments this winter but said simply that he would “announce further information on the delivery and timing of these payments in due course.”
A circular issued to MPs on Friday has now confirmed this has been delayed until January 2023, stating that “payment is a complicated matter”.
In the past two years, the cost of home heating oil has increased by more than 230 percent, rising from 31p a litre to £1.05 a litre on average.
Recent figures from the House Of Commons Library show there are around 129,000 off-grid homes in Scotland dependent on home heating oil.
Commenting, Mr Thomson said: "While I welcome the increase in the payment for off-grid consumers insofar as it goes, it remains the case that nobody yet knows when the money will be paid out to those who need it.
“The Conservative Government have completely abandoned rural Scotland throughout the cost-of-living crisis.
"This delay is an insult to families in rural communities across the north-east - and it's another gaping hole in the UK Government's botched energy plan.
"The cost of heating rural homes is much higher than other parts of the country - with the price of heating oil soaring by over 230 percent in two years.
"The UK Government must redouble its efforts to get a working scheme put in place and get the support out to the people who so desperately need it.”
