COLIN BEATTIE MSP: ONLY THE SNP CAN DELIVER ON ENERGY BILLS

SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN THROUGH THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS 
  
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed new details of a major expansion of this year’s Fuel Insecurity Fund which will further support families in Midlothian and East Lothian with their energy bills. 
  
With the fund tripling to £30 million this year, households in Midlothian and East Lothian will also benefit through the SNP Scottish Government’s allocation of £9 million to enable Advice Direct Scotland to administer Home Heating Support Fund grants to those struggling with the rapid increase in energy prices. 
  
£8.5 million will also be allocated to the Fuel Bank Foundation to support over 85,000 households, including those with prepayment meters and at risk of imminent disconnection, and £7.25 million will be directed to enable the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to provide more than 55,000 households across Scotland with advice, support with bills and energy-saving items. 
  
Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said: 
  
“Families in Midlothian and East Lothian are still paying the price of this Tory cost of living crisis, and these new funding commitments show just how this SNP Government is stepping up for people living in Midlothian and East Lothian, who are tired of being ignored by Westminster parties. 
  
“Where Westminster is failing to deliver, the SNP is bending over backwards to mitigate their cruel austerity measures  – but while the key policy levers remain in the hands of the Tories, the Scottish Government will always be taking action with one hand behind its back. 
  
“For as long as we’re tied to this broken union, people across Scotland will continue to suffer the consequences of Westminster control because the Scottish Government can only go so far in its support- but with the powers of independence we can take back the powers to deliver real, sustained change for Scotland’s communities.” ​