SNP bid to splash poor Scots energy bills

dailyrecord.co.uk:

SNP ministers are planning a “social tariff” with E.ON, Scottish Gas and other suppliers to bring down energy bills for vulnerable Scots.The Scottish Government has enlisted energy firms and consumer groups to form a working group to design the new tariff offering discounted energy deals to at-risk households.If green-lit, it could mean cheaper bills and support for those already struggling with fuel poverty like low-income families and pensioners.And it could also benefit some of the near 1million older Scots set to lose out on the £300-per-year Winter Fuel Payment under the Labour government’s controversial plan to means-test it.That includes hundreds of thousands of pensioners who, despite no longer qualifying for the benefit, are struggling on low incomes just above the threshold for eligibility.It comes as fuel bills are set to soar from October through the winter months as the energy price cap rises by 10 per cent to £1717 a year per average household.Any decision to introduce a social tariff would ultimately need to be made at Westminster as regulation of the energy market is a reserved power.But Holyrood chiefs said they hope their working group can demonstrate the idea’s “viability” to Labour ministers.The UK Government has so far not committed to a social tariff.

But it is reopening the Warm Home Discount scheme next month for people on low incomes, which offers a one-off £150 discount on bills.The SNP government said its working group - led by minister for climate action Alasdair Allan - would aim to “co-design” a workable social tariff and “demonstrate the viability and positive outcomes of the policy”.Under Holyrood’s proposals, discounted energy deals could be offered to people struggling with extreme