Assistance to help people with energy bills is not being fully utilised according to Glasgow Scottish National Party MSP and longstanding fuel poverty campaigner Bob Doris. Mr Doris raised the issue with Alex Neil MSP, Minister for Communities and Housing, at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday (16 Dec).

Both Mr Neil and Mr Doris expressed frustration at the combination of cuts to the Scottish budget, rising energy prices and lowering household incomes – all factors which make it more difficult to alleviate fuel poverty. The devolved Scottish Government has no control over energy policy but has provided a groundbreaking initiative, the Energy Assistance Package, to help householders keep warm. In raising the issue with fellow MSPs, Mr Doris hopes to raise awareness of the help that is available by both the government and the energy firms as the weather again takes a turn for the worse.

Mr Doris said: "It is regrettable that so much available assistance is going unclaimed in these difficult economic times. Fuel poverty is one of Scotland’s greatest unsolved social problems and I fear very much for how some people will cope if this winter is as severe as many are predicting.

"But there may be good news for many constituents. My concern is that despite advertising promotions there are still a number of people who are unaware of the help they could receive from the Energy Assistance Package, which the Scottish Government has invested heavily in. All it takes is a quick call to the Energy Savings Trust on 0800 512 012 or online at energysavingstrust.org.uk/Scotland.

"Most properties in Scotland are inadequately insulated for our climate. A simple extra layer of loft insulation can slice £145 a year off bills, or £110 by insulating cavity walls. Some people have found savings of up to £1500 per year.

"An additional resource is the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 which is funded by the ‘big 6’ energy companies through the Energy Retail Association. Recent research from the New Policy Institute (NPI) on behalf of the Home Heat Helpline has revealed that 418,700 households in Scotland that could claim grants for insulation and reduced energy tariffs.

“Whilst we may often find cause to criticise energy firms when prices go up, this scheme provides real benefit to consumers and should be taken up by all those eligible. The Home Heat Helpline estimate that customers could typically save £260 a year on their energy bills but only 12% have actually claimed free help. The Glasgow based Home Heat Helpline can also be accessed at www.homeheathelpline.org.uk."

The Helpline’s trained advisers can provide eligible customers with access to one or more of the following services:

• Grants for free cavity wall and loft insulation
  
• Reduced or ‘social’ tariffs
  
• The Priority Service Register which provides extra services for people who are elderly or disabled including bills in large text or Braille, security passwords and an annual gas safety check
• Flexible payment options for customers in fuel debt Benefits entitlement checks