Stay warm and cut bills urges MP

Local SNP MP Calum Kerr is urging Borderers to make sure they’re getting the help and advice they need on staying warm and energy bills.
Hawick MP Calum Kerr.Hawick MP Calum Kerr.
Hawick MP Calum Kerr.

He is suggesting people get in touch with their energy suppliers to check their eligibility for support.

The Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP said this week: “It’s really important to be prepared for winter and I want everyone to understand the help which is available to them.

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“Being energy efficient and keeping bills under control is really important, and the steps you can take to do this are really very simple.”

A range of schemes are available including the Warm Home Discount, which offers vulnerable customers a one-off reduction this winter of £140 off their energy bills.

Other potential help includes free or subsidised insulation and grants from the Scottish Gas Energy Trust.

Energy users can also take a number of steps to make sure their home stays warm and safe include sealing doors and windows properly, checking their boiler, making sure their water tank and pipes are sufficiently insulated and having a carbon monoxide alarm fitted.

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Calum added: “It’s certainly worth checking to see if you qualify for support. Keeping warm over winter is absolutely vital and constituents may be entitled to extra help from the government and their energy supplier if they meet certain criteria.”

Christine McGourty, Managing Director of Scottish Gas, commented: “Winter can be a challenging time for households and many people will be concerned about their energy bill. There is help available and we urge customers to get in touch to find out what advice and support is on offer.”