Highland Council Leader Responds To Energy Cost Announcement

9th February 2022

It was announced last week by Chancellor Rishi Sunak that financial support will be made available to help people cope with the increase in energy costs. Energy costs will increase further following the announcement by the energy regulator OFGEM that the energy price cap will rise in April 2022 to £1,971.

In response to this announcement, Cllr Margaret Davidson, Leader of The Highland Council said: "I am really concerned over the impact of these huge increases in energy costs on already hard-pressed households in Highland. The recognition of this and the additional funding from the UK Government is welcome. We now need to see how the Scottish Government will use these funds to support households with their energy bills.

“We have already recognised the pressures being faced by households in Highland and established our own Discretionary Fuel Support Fund to help those in most need of additional support with their winter heating costs.

“We believe these additional funds from UK Government that will make their way to Scottish Government via the Barnett formula, should be distributed directly by local government as we have the schemes and systems in place to get this money out to our communities quickly."

Commenting on the energy crisis, Depute Leader of the Council, Cllr Alasdair Christie said: “This is an absolute horror story for many Highland residents who are seeing their bills and costs soaring, leaving them to make impossibly difficult decisions between food, energy, going out and basic day-to-day living.

“Help is available to residents from the Council's welfare support team and local Citizens Advice Bureaux both of whom provide a free and confidential service which can provide help and advice on personal budgeting, benefits you may be entitled to, and support on money matters.”

Contact the welfare support team today on our freephone number 0800 090 1004; or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk.

Find out more on the Council’s website at https://bit.ly/WelfareSupportHighland.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

25/9/2026 : Employment Services

What Are the Options for Scottish Pupils Who Do Not Want the Traditional Academic Route?

Parents of teenagers in England are being told that they will need to understand a new range of vocational qualifications as their children approach the age of 14.   The Career Development Institute has welcomed the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which are due to start being introduced in England from 2029.  

Today : Local Authority

The £27 Million Energy Bill Facing Highland Council – And NHS Highland's Hidden Cost

Rising energy prices are a problem for households and businesses, but there is another very large energy bill that receives much less attention.   Highland Council operates one of the largest public-sector property estates in Scotland, while NHS Highland runs hospitals, health centres, clinics and other facilities across an enormous geographical area.  

Today : Local Authority

Public invited to Justice Service open days in Fort William and Wick

The Highland Council’s Justice Social Work teams in Lochaber and Caithness will be hosting open days in Fort William on Tuesday 6 October and Wick on Friday 9 October 2026.   The open days will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Launch of New Transport Service for Renal Patients in Highland

NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland.   Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Economy and Infrastructure Committee to consider next steps on proposed Short Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland.   At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scotland's Local Government Reform: More Local Power or Mainly a Search for Savings?

The Scottish Government is proposing a major reshaping of local government, with fewer regional authorities and many more community-level bodies making decisions closer to where people live.   The language is about local democracy, stronger communities and bringing decisions closer to people.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Local Government Set For Huge Changes

Initial proposals designed to deliver fundamental reform of local governance have been set out to help shape the debate on improving public services.   The possible changes, if implemented, could help achieve a better balance of decision-making powers across the public sector to ensure investment is focused on delivering improved services.  

21/9/2026 : Local Authority

Council Tax Reform: Just How Many Scots Took Part in the Debate?

Council tax is one of those bills that most households know only too well.   It arrives every month or in a series of instalments, and it helps pay for services ranging from rubbish collection and roads to schools, social care and other council services.  

19/9/2026 : Local Authority

Why Scotland Is Reorganising Public Services – And Why Highland Could Feel the Impact More Than Most

Something important is happening in Scotland's public services, and it goes considerably further than another round of annual budget cuts.   The Scottish Government is now talking about changing the way public services themselves are organised.  

18/9/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's £2.1 Billion Investment Plan: Could Higher Interest Rates Put the Squeeze on Future Budgets?

Highland Council is planning to spend around £2.1 billion over 20 years on schools, roads, housing, community facilities and other infrastructure.   It is an ambitious programme, and one which could bring considerable benefits across the Highlands.