Immediate funding is being awarded to key energy advice organisations to make sure energy customers across Scotland can access crucial support and advice to deal with rising energy bills and heating costs. More than £1.2 million will be distributed to help key agencies, including Advice Direct Scotland, Home Energy Scotland and Citizen’s Advice Scotland, reach more people who need help.

The funding will also support a training programme for staff from third sector organisations to expand the reach of expert advice.

The Scottish Government committed to providing additional support to advice agencies at the Scottish Energy Summit hosted by the First Minister on Tuesday 23 August, at which a series of further actions to mitigate the energy price rises were agreed with energy companies and advice organisations. The additional funding announced today is on top of the Scottish Government’s existing investment in free income, welfare and debt advice services, including support to Money Advice Scotland and the Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships Programme.

MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Christina McKelvie had this to say on the matter:

“The constituents of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse simply cannot be expected to carry the burden of further price rises in October. So the UK Government must now commit to freeze the cap for all households and to support energy companies to deliver that.”

“In the meantime, this funding will ensure that expert advisors across the country stand ready to provide crucial support and guidance to those understandably worried about their energy bills. I would urge everyone who has concerns to access these services and get the support they need.”