In response to the cost-of-living crisis, the Prime Minister announced new measures to cap the amount people will pay for their energy bills. These measures will apply from 1 October and will discount the unit cost for gas and electricity use.
In the UK, the typical household will now pay an average £2,500 a year on their energy bill, for the next 2 years, from 1 October 2022. This does depend on your usage, but a typical household will save at least £1,000 a year - as it stands.
This temporary cap comes in addition to the previously announced £400 off electricity bills and additional payments for pensioners, those with disabilities, and on benefits.
Households who use heating oil or liquified petroleum gas (LPG) were assured to receive support equivalent to both the £400 off electricity bills and also the £1000 savings on energy bills.
However, it has now come to light that the support for those using oil or LPG will receive a one off of only £100 payment on top of the £400 being rolled out as part of the Energy Support Scheme.
John Lamont MP said;
"Whilst I wholeheartedly welcome the measures worth tens of billions the Government have pledged to support people with energy bills, constituents in rural areas like my own in the Scottish Borders feel left behind as a result of these recent announcements.
“For Borderers off the grid using oil or LPG, £100 will be a drop in the ocean as we face one of the most expensive winters in recent history. Unlike gas users, their costs are not capped whatsoever.
“Seeing people who are part of the national grid across the UK benefitting from another £1000 off their bills will no doubt make them feel frustrated - and frankly I share their frustration.
“It is clear that the SNP Government have prioritised funding their divisive referendum over vulnerable Scots, so I have written to the Business Secretary in Westminster for further support for those who use heating oil or LPG."
Letter to the Business Secretary
In the letter, Mr Lamont writes;
"I write to you in relation to the financial support offered to my constituents in the Borders who rely on heating oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The Government's intervention to provide £37 billion is most welcome and is greatly welcome by my constituents. With a minimum of £400 of support reaching standard grid users, a number of constituents have raised concerns about how the £100 for those on LPG and heating oil will not be nearly enough to support them through the winter.
The latest published census data found that over 8000 Borderers were using heating oil or another form of fuel off of the grid - with a local survey finding in 2019 that over a quarter of my constituents are off the grid. I am sure these figures highlight how much of a local impact this support has in the Borders.
I therefore ask you to look again at a greater support package for those on heating oil and LPG to ensure that my constituents are not adversely impacted over the coming months."
