Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD SLAMS UK GOVERNMENT OVER DELAYED ENERGY SUPPORT

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead has highlighted the lengthy delays experienced by households awaiting alternative energy support and criticised the UK Government for failing rural Scotland. 

Additional support was previously announced for those using alternative fuels like heating oil, while those without a direct relationship to an energy supplier were promised equivalent support to those receiving £400 in the form of monthly payments.

However, nearly four months on from support beginning to roll out, households eligible for the alternative support are still waiting, having not receiving a single penny in support.

Commenting, Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“I’m continuing to be inundated with emails from local people who are rightly concerned at the delays they’ve encountered in receiving this much needed support towards their energy bills.

“We already know that those using heating oil and other alternative fuels buy in bulk and already face higher costs to obtain their energy than those with a direct energy supplier, so the near four month hold up will have had a huge impact.

“I have raised the need for this support to be delivered quickly and directly without any additional hassle for residents, but we’re now being told some will have to apply for their support through their local authority.

“We’re now approaching the end of a cold winter and it’s simply unacceptable that the UK Government have stalled on rolling out support until late in the day. It’s clear that London based politicians don’t seem to understand rural Scotland and the Conservative UK Government need to urgently deliver on this long awaited support.”