Ross hails progress on alternative fuel payments from UK government

MORAY MP Douglas Ross has welcomed progress on ensuring that constituents who use alternative fuels will soon receive £200 payments from the UK government.

Mr Ross raised the issue directly with UK government energy and climate minister Graham Stuart at a meeting of the Scottish Affairs Committee recently, where he highlighted the case of a woman from Cardhu who had emailed him about the payments.

He told the minister that his constituent had been looking forward to receiving the payment but had been struggling to find out information on when the money will go into her account.

In response, Mr Stuart outlined the complex process involved in ensuring that those who are off-grid and use alternative fuels will receive the £200, saying that this process should be in place by the end of next month.

He also detailed to Mr Ross that they now have the data in place to fully identify those with high alternative fuel use and said he is happy with the processes that are in place to allow customers to get this money direct from energy companies, rather than relying on the government portals in place.

Mr Ross said that the recent cold snap that has hit Moray shows the importance of getting these payments to local people as quickly as possible.

He continued: “I have had many queries from constituents across Moray who are reliant on alternative fuels, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to raise these issues directly with the relevant UK government minister.

“As his answer outlined, the process of getting these payments to those in Moray and elsewhere who are off-grid is a complex one, but the systems in place appear to be working extremely to process these payments.

“Given the snow and cold weather we experienced in Moray last week, it is imperative that these payments reach local constituents as quickly as possible. The response from the minister shows that things are heading in the right direction and that this process should be in place come the end of next month.

“With rising bills and the cold weather continuing to bite, those reliant on alternative fuels are understandably anxious as to when further support will arrive.

"I will continue to push the UK government to deliver these payments as soon as possible to ease the pressure facing many of those in rural and remote communities across Moray.”