Calls for changes to heating oil scheme that has only distributed 10% of available funds

I have called for a change in the Scottish Emergency Heating oil scheme after it emerged that only 10 per cent of the £10 million fund has been disbursed. 

I raised this issue in the House of Commons as it is necessary to change the rules of the scheme to make more people eligible for support.

The £300 per-household payment was introduced by the UK Government in March after the US strikes against Iran led to a spike in heating oil prices for consumers.

The Scottish Government announced it would add £5.4 million to the UK Government’s £4.6 million in support for Scottish consumers who use heating oil.

But in response to my Commons,  UK Energy Minister, Martin McCluskey revealed that just over £1 million had been claimed from the Scottish scheme which closes in September. 

Given that only 10 per cent of the £10 million fund has been allocated it is time to change the criteria for the scheme.

The scheme run by Advice Direct Scotland is open to households who use heating oil and receive pension or income support. The agency should relax the criteria to get support out to consumers.

I hear that more applicants are being rejected than accepted under the current rules. 

When it was launched the scheme stated it would also be open to households with ‘priority need for heat due to ‘geography or rurality. All of the Western Isles can be described as ‘very rural or remote’ which are the qualifications for eligibility under this geography and rurality definition.

Given that almost half of island households are dependent upon heating oil and that we have the highest rates of fuel poverty in the country support should be directed where it is most needed.

I will be approaching Advice Direct Scotland and Ministers again about extending this scheme to all island households dependent on heating oil.  Advice Direct Scotland and SNP Ministers should step up to get this money out the door instead of leaving consumers high and dry when it comes to heating oil support.  

I encourage anyone who feels that they need help to apply for the £300 support and to get in touch with my office if they need assistance.

Apply here for support -> Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme – homeheatingadvice.scot