Stirling MP raises struggles of those reliant on heating oil

The plight faced by homeowners reliant on heating oil during the cost-of-living crisis has been raised in a Westminster debate. In December, UK Government ministers announced a one-off £200 payment would be made to households in this category - including many across rural Stirling - from February this year. Householders who pay for electricity directly from a supplier will receive the payment automatically, while those who do not pay directly will have to apply for the payment from an online portal which has to be launched. In the debate, Stirling MP Alyn Smith criticised the level of support being made available and urged greater investment in renewables energy sources and rechnology to reduce the costs on ‘offgrid’ homes reliant on heating oil. Mr Smith said: “It’s an ongoing farce that rural properties reliant on heating oil have received so little state support amidst one of the worst energy and cost of living crises in living memory. “We heard last year how £100 would buy less than 100 litres of oil, enough for just two to three weeks of heating. Prices continue to eat into household budgets, and yet the UK Government are dragging their heels when it comes to substantial support. I strongly advocate for a twin short and long-term approach to tackling fuel poverty, rooted in grant support in the here and now, and strategic investment in insulation, high construction standards and renewable technologies to reduce our reliance on costly fossil fuels in future. “People are freezing in their own homes, an absolute scandal in such an energy-rich nation as Scotland.”