MATHER WELCOMES EXPANSION OF ENERGY PACKAGE

Jim Mather Argyll & Bute MSP, has welcomed the announcement made by his colleague, Alex Neil MSP, Minister for Housing and Communities, which will see central heating systems, home insulation, thermostats and green energy devices on offer to low-income families with children under 16. Families who receive a wide range of benefits including child tax credit, income support and housing benefit will be eligible. The scheme> '> s national free phone helpline number - 0800 512 012 -provides instant energy saving advice to everyone who calls, as well as help to switch to cheaper tariffs and get all benefits households are entitled to. The Fuel Poverty Forum, set up by the Scottish Government, to look at ways to tackle fuel poverty, has also been asked by Ministers to investigate extending eligibility to chronically ill and cancer patients in Scotland.

Jim Mather said: 'The widening of the Energy Assistance Package will allow families on low incomes help with fuel bills. As has been shown by households already eligible, who had heating and insulation devices installed by the scheme last year, savings of £860 can be made on fuel bills. Those who had moved to cheaper tariffs and payment methods saved on average nearly £300 per year.

"In contacting the Energy Assistance Package free phone help line 0800 512 012 every household in Argyll and Bute can obtain invaluable instant energy saving advice as well as help to switch to cheaper tariffs together with ensuring all benefits the household is entitled to has been applied for.

"It is, however, vitally important that low-income families with children under the age of 16, and in receipt of any benefits, contact the helpline immediately to establish eligibility.

"This, together with those already assisted under the scheme, and the ongoing process of investigating extending eligibility to chronically ill and cancer patients, will further help eradicate fuel poverty in Scotland."