Ross welcomes further energy bills support for Moray constituents

MORAY MP Douglas Ross has welcomed further support to help constituents with rising energy bills.

The UK government have confirmed that those households in Moray who do not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier, such as those in park homes, can now apply online to receive a £400, non-repayable sum to help with rising energy bills.

The payments will be paid directly into people’s bank accounts and for those without online access, a dedicated telephone helpline will be available for eligible customers.

The £400 sum is also available for those who get their energy through a commercial contract or who are off-grid. Mr Ross said this is a “welcome boost” for many of his rural and remote constituents who have been waiting on these payments.

He has also welcomed confirmation from UK Government Energy Secretary Grant Shapps that a further scheme – the Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Fund – will go live as of Monday, March 6.

For those that use alternative fuel as their main source of heating, £200 payments will be available to help with rising bills. Mr Ross had directly asked energy minister Graham Stuart about the alternative fuel payment fund at a meeting of the Scottish Affairs Committee in January, after being contacted by concerned constituents.

While he accepts that customers understandably wanted this scheme up and running sooner, he says it is crucial that the complex process is completely ready before being launched.

He added that he and his office are on hand to help anyone who needs assistance to ensure they do not miss out on either of these schemes.

Mr Ross said: “Many constituents in Moray who have been unable to access other support in relation to their energy bills so far from the UK government have been waiting for these payments.

“It is welcome that these portals are now live- or will go live next week- without any further delays. I have had many constituents who are not directly linked to electricity suppliers, who are off-grid or use alternative sources of fuel to heat their homes, keen to know what support is available to them.

“These payments – worth hundreds of pounds – will bring welcome relief to those struggling with rising bills and shows the UK government are on their side.

“I agree with many constituents who wanted to see these payments delivered sooner, but the process is a complex one. It is right that the systems were ironed out and ready to go to ensure that customers will now get these payments into their bank accounts as quickly as possible.

“The UK government recognise that the cost-of-living crisis is the top priority for people right across the country, and that is no different here in Moray.

“Myself and my team in the constituency office will be able to assist anyone who needs support to get these payments and ease the pressure on their bills in the coming weeks and months, so please do not hesitate to contact me.”

The UK government announcements on these schemes can be read at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support-scheme-payments-made-by-electricity-suppliers-to-customers