Scottish Government calls for those on benefits in UK to pay less for energy

Scotland’s energy minister has called on the UK Government to reduce energy prices for struggling people.

The Scottish Government has long pushed for a so-called social tariff, which would see those on means-tested benefits pay less.

In a letter to the UK Government’s minister for energy consumers, Amanda Solloway, Gillian Martin pushed for the measure to be introduced, using the proceeds of a windfall tax on oil and gas companies when prices are “unprecedently high”, as opposed to a levy on energy bills.

A UK Government spokesman said all measures to help those in need are being kept “under review”.

Martin wrote: “The Scottish Government has called repeatedly on the UK Government to deliver a social tariff mechanism for those who need it the most, and our call has been supported by partners across the energy industry and the third sector.

Gillian Martin has called for a social tariff on energy bills. Scottish Government

“The Scottish Government believes that a social tariff should be funded primarily though the Energy Profits Levy (or a similar mechanism) when energy prices are unprecedentedly high, with recourse to general taxation as prices fall.

“A specific levy on energy bills to fund and deliver a social tariff will not only place undue hardship on priority consumers, but also disincentivise energy savings in the same way that high standing charges currently do.

“I would also like to reiterate my previous offer to work with the UK Government on the design of a social tariff mechanism.”

As well as automatically including those currently on means-tested benefits, the tariff should also make efforts to help those who are “narrowly ineligible for benefits, are on low incomes and are now in or at risk of living within fuel poverty and readily available data already retrieved through existing UK Government support schemes could help achieve this”.

Social tenants and those who have high energy use due to medical or life-saving equipment should also benefit, Martin said.

A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “We recognise the cost-of-living challenges families are facing and we spent £40bn paying around half a typical household’s energy bill last winter.

A minister said a social tariff could be funded by the proceeds of the windfall tax on oil and gas companies. PA Media

“Energy prices are falling and our Energy Price Guarantee remains in place to protect people until April next year.

“We’re also continuing to support the most vulnerable, with three million households expected to benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount, £900 for those on means-tested benefits, and an extra £150 for disabled people.”

“We continue to keep all options under review for those most in need.”

Hazel Knowles, the energy lead at Advice Direct Scotland, said it has “witnessed significant demand” from people across Scotland for its services, adding: “With bills still significantly higher than they were before the energy crisis began, we know far too many Scots face a challenging winter ahead, forced to choose between heating and eating.

“Although there are regulations for suppliers to provide support, the current situation means this does not go far enough to support those struggling to pay and getting into unaffordable debt.

“Energy affordability is a long-term problem that needs a long-term solution. A social tariff would protect people from spending excessive amounts on their bills.”

But any social tariff, she said, will need to consider the “unique challenges” facing Scotland’s energy landscape, with criteria based on household income and energy efficiency.