More than 400,000 Scots receive share of £30m to help with energy bills

Scots have received more than £30m in two benefits to help them deal with increased energy costs this winter, new statistics have shown.  

The Scottish Government’s winter heating payment supports households on low incomes, including older people, disabled people and families with children under five while the child winter heating payment helps families of the most severely disabled children and young people.    

Official figures show more than 400,000 winter heating payments of £55.05 were issued between November last year and the end of March.

More than 30,000 child winter heating payments of £235.70 were made in the same spell.   

Winter heating payment replaced the UK Government’s cold weather payment in 2023.

Recipients receive the new payment regardless of the weather, unlike the cold weather payment when the temperature needs to drop to a specific level. 

The child winter payment, which was introduced in 2020, is exclusively available in Scotland with no cap on the number of children who can get it in the same family.  

Cabinet secretary for social justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “The £30.2m paid over the course of winter provides support to those who need it most. It is being paid quickly and effectively to help mitigate the worst of the cost of living crisis. 

“Winter heating payment guarantees those who qualify will get a payment every year – in contrast to the UK Government approach which needs the weather to be under a certain temperature for a sustained spell.   

“Both winter heating payment and child winter heating payment have recently been increased in line with inflation which means we will be getting more money into people’s pockets in 2024/25. I am pleased that we are getting the vast majority of these payments to people in good time.  

“I urge anyone who is struggling during the cost-of-living crisis to visit the Scottish Government’s Cost of Living website for support and advice.”   