RURAL communities in Scotland risk “falling between the cracks” in the UK Government’s energy price support, according to Scottish Land & Estates (SLE).
The membership body has written to Scottish secretary Alister Jack calling for more support for rural homes and businesses.
Around one-third of rural homes in Scotland aren’t connected to the mains gas supply.
Instead, they burn heating oil, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), or solid fuels.
SLE said people living in off-grid houses have been given a £100 one-off alternative fuel payment to their to their electricity bill account.
But the organisation pointed to a near-doubling in the cost of heating oil over the past year, with prices rising from 59p a litre for a 1,000-litre delivery in October 2021 to 106p a litre last month.
SLE contrasted the £100 payment with £500 of savings between October and March for urban households under Westminster’s energy price support scheme.
Lizzie Campbell, who lives in the Black Isle and works as a land manager, said: “Our energy costs are around £4,300 per annum as a result of the huge price rises.
“Our electricity bill has more than doubled and heating oil – which used to cost approximately £800 per year – is now around £1,800.
“We are fortunate that we live in a modern and well-insulated house, and can manage to make ends meet, but there are many people using heating oil in rural Scotland who are not in a good position and have received very little support from government or energy providers.
“There is a feeling amongst many people that rural communities have been left behind by the energy support scheme.”
Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of SLE, said: “The huge hike in fuel prices for off-grid housing – predominantly in Scotland’s rural areas – is really starting to bite as winter fast approaches.
“The UK Government’s intervention on energy prices was commendable but as happens all too often in public policy, rural communities have fallen between the cracks and are receiving next to no help as energy crisis continues.
“We know that the Chancellor has signalled an end to the current energy scheme in April but we are urging the government to increase the alternative fuel payment immediately, and in time for this winter, to bring it into line with the assistance being received by urban dwellers.”
She added: “Rural communities already need to contend with higher fuel prices and additional transport costs due to their location and there is the added factor of rural houses often suffering from poorer insulation.
“We’ve also heard of examples of our members assisting tenants with the cost of heating oil which is a commendable gesture but also highlights the lack of support available to rural dwellers.
“The finance pressures on government are well publicised but there should be parity in the help provided for rural and urban households.”
Read more stories on Scottish Field’s personal finance pages.
Plus don’t miss Peter Ranscombe’s “Your Money” personal finance column each month in Scottish Field magazine.
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