Rhoda Grant, Scottish Labour MSP Questions Heating Payment Delays In Scotland

8th February 2023

Speaking today in the Scottish Government update on the social security programme debate Rhoda Grant, Scottish Labour MSP for the Highlands and Island called out the Government's inability to roll-out much needed support to the people of Scotland.

Speaking particularly about the due roll out of the Winter Heating Payment Mrs Grant said "It is truly unbelievable that again today we are hearing about further delays in implementing the Scottish Social Security System. This new benefit pays a fixed sum of £50 instead of paying out £25 for every week of cold weather, which was paid by the benefit it replaces.

I am particularly concerned about the effects of this policy on rural areas. We know that the rate of fuel poverty is significantly higher in rural off gas grid areas compared with the more urban areas of Scotland. Before the cost of living crisis, those living in rural areas faced on average 30% higher costs of living. In December 2021, 40% of people living in the Western Isles lived in fuel poverty compared to 13% in East Renfrewshire. The Scottish average was 24% of all households.

The very places that have the highest fuel poverty will lose the most.

Even Energy Action Scotland have warned that “lives will be lost due to the inadequate level of support provided" and they raised the concern that the new payment will have “less impact on fuel poverty than the benefit it replaces”.

It is desperately sad that the Tories Cold Weather Payment is more socially just than that of the SNP Government’s Low Income Winter Heating Assistance.”