Increased support for north-east households with energy costs
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Up to £30 million will be made available through the Fuel Insecurity Fund next year to help households who are at risk of self-rationing or self-disconnecting their energy use, First Minister Humza Yousaf has announced.
The funding will be made available to third sector organisations in the next financial year to support the most vulnerable households in Scotland.
The Scottish Government had previously committed to doubling the Fuel Insecurity Fund, from £10 million to £20 million.
Previous funding has been provided to third sector organisations including the Fuel Bank Foundation, Advice Direct Scotland and Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to provide direct support to households.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I have said my immediate priority is to do everything we can to protect every Scot as far as possible from the harm inflicted by the cost-of-living crisis.
“That is why, in one of my first acts as First Minister, I can confirm today that we will build on our commitment to double the Fuel Insecurity Fund from £10 million to £20 million - to now triple it to £30 million for 2023-24.
“In a country as energy rich as Scotland, we should not have people living in fuel poverty.
"My government will renew and redouble our efforts to lift people out of poverty, to make work fair, to make our economy work for the people.
“With energy bills still at historically high levels and the UK Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme being withdrawn from April 1, over the next year our Fuel Insecurity Fund will continue to be a vital lifeline for many struggling households in the country.
“It is of course only as a result of the UK Government’s mismanagement of the economy and the cost of living crisis that we are having to take this action. This Scottish Government will always put the interests of the people of Scotland first.”
Commenting Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Since launching the scheme, we’ve handled thousands of applications on behalf of people in Scotland who are struggling with energy bills.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to invest in the Fuel Insecurity Fund in the coming financial year, and we will be able to announce further details on re-opening the Home Heating Support Fund soon.
“This fund has already proved crucial in ensuring that households who have been hit the hardest can continue to heat their homes and feed their families.
“Anyone in Scotland who has concerns about their energy bills should contact us for free, impartial advice at www.energyadvice.scot.”
