Review of heating oil scheme needed after two-thirds of islanders are being rejected.

Donald MacKinnon MSP and I are calling for the £300 heating oil grant to be doubled to £600 and the scheme expanded to cover more island households.

I have demanded that the Scottish Government look again at the scheme after it emerged that two-thirds of applicants from the islands have been refused support.

According to Scottish Government figures only 138 applicants from the Western Isles who are in receipt of pension credit or income support have received £300 to help with heating oil costs. 

Another 297 applications have been refused and 20 have decisions pending.

We have the highest fuel poverty figures in the country in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, yet people are being turned down for help to heat their homes. There’s something awry with the scheme and it has to be reviewed.

A little over £1 million of the £10 million scheme has been claimed so I am calling on Scottish Government Ministers to widen the criteria, allow access for island and remote households and to double the £300 payment for those on pension credit and income support who are already eligible.”

Donald MacKinnon MSP added: “The Scottish Government needs to urgently investigate why so many claims to the fund are being rejected. This support for householders is desperately needed, the process needs to be streamlined to get the help to those who need it.

“Today I have tabled written questions in the Scottish Parliament seeking clarity on what steps the Scottish Government are taking to address these concerns and ensure the scheme is working as intended.”