Hundreds of households throughout Scotland may lose a rebate on their gasoline payments amid uncertainty over the way forward for a reduction scheme.
Round 200,000 properties are at present entitled to obtain a £140 discount of their annual funds on their December or March/April family electrical energy payments as a part of the Heat Home Low cost.
However there may be uncertainty over whether or not the scheme will proceed this 12 months amid wrangling between the Scottish and UK Governments over how it's delivered.
Now Residents Recommendation Scotland (CAS) has urged ministers at Holyrood and Westminster to resolve the problem earlier than the value cap on gasoline payments is raised in a matter of weeks.
The Scottish Authorities mentioned households north of the Border made up 10.11 per cent of Heat Home Low cost recipients - however claimed Westminster had solely supplied 9.4 per cent of funding for a separate Scottish scheme.
The money to pay for the rebates is collected centrally and is paid for by all power shoppers throughout the UK.
Kate Morrison, honest markets spokeswoman for CAS, mentioned: "With power payments set to soar in a matter of weeks it’s extremely worrying that we don’t have readability over how this scheme will function in Scotland.
"The Heat House Low cost isn’t a silver bullet for gasoline poverty in Scotland – nevertheless it’s an absolute lifeline for individuals who obtain, and that would be the case this 12 months greater than ever.
"It’s additionally vital to grasp the broader oblique assist the scheme affords by means of recommendation, coaching and power effectivity. Somehow a whole lot of 1000's of households in Scotland are benefiting from this scheme.
"With the following spherical of funding as a consequence of start in a matter of weeks – on the identical day costs soar – it’s completely important we urgently get some readability over how this funding shall be delivered in Scotland."
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Authorities mentioned: "We agree that the UK Authorities wants to offer far more certainty about the way forward for the present GB-wide scheme.
"That is wanted due to modifications they need to make in England and Wales.
"The present Heat House Low cost was launched by the UK Authorities in 2011 and is paid for by a cost on family payments.
"Which means the rules for this scheme can solely be agreed by the UK Parliament.
"Final February we proposed a less complicated, fairer Heat House Low cost scheme in Scotland - however the UK Authorities has not agreed to this. Time has run out to develop a extra versatile and higher focused scheme.
"Scottish ministers have urged the UK Authorities to verify that the present scheme will proceed in Scotland subsequent 12 months and are awaiting their response."
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