Scottish Government introduces emergency heating oil scheme

The UK Government’s energy support is “insufficient”, the Scottish Government has said, as it doubled the amount available to help consumers amid rising oil prices.

Households struggling with the rising cost of oil and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) for heating will be able to apply for up to £300 of support with their bills from April 1.

The Scottish Government’s emergency heating oil scheme will be available to users of both heating oil and LPG who are struggling with recent price increases due to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

The UK Government announced £4.6 million of support for Scotland due to the rising prices but the Scottish Government has said this amount is “insufficient”.

Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan said: “We know that the sudden rise in heating oil and LPG prices due to global events has come as a shock to many people, particularly in rural and island areas.

“Last week the UK Government announced just £4.6 million of support for Scotland.

“This was insufficient so we are more than doubling it to £10 million. Given the urgency of the situation as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, I can confirm that the support in Scotland will be open to applications from next week.

“This represents an immediate response by the Scottish Government to the present crisis and will ensure help is provided as quickly as possible to those in greatest need.

“However, the conflict in Iran remains volatile and its ongoing impact on energy prices is hard to predict.

“If such high prices continue, the UK Government must step up to provide further, fully-funded support, and bring into force long-awaited regulation for this sector to protect consumers.

“The First Minister has already made clear that providing support for consumers affected by the current price spikes must form a central part of the UK Government’s response to this crisis and I echo his call for the Prime Minister to convene an emergency four nations’ Heads of Government council.”

The scheme will be administered by Advice Direct Scotland and will run for up to six months.

It will focus on low-income households, including those in receipt of means-tested social security.

It will also be open to applications from other people who have unavoidable additional heating needs and may face hardship including people with disabilities or those at risk of self-rationing fuel.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “We are pleased to support this fund which is designed to help low‑income and vulnerable households across Scotland.

“We’re working quickly with the Scottish Government to get this scheme operational to get help to the people who need it most.

“Full details of how and where to apply will be released shortly – and we remain available to provide energy advice to anyone who needs it in the meantime.”