MSP urges Dumfries & Galloway residents to claim energy bill support

The deadline for eligible households is the 30th of June

MSP for South of Scotland Colin Smyth
Author: Philippa HowiePublished 22nd Jun 2023
Last updated 24th Jun 2023

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth is encouraging people in Dumfries and Galloway on prepayment meters to claim cost of living support before the deadline on June 30th.

Latest figures show that 6,770 households in the region are still to claim support they are entitled to through the Energy Bill Support Scheme.

Bill support is provided through vouchers designed for those on non-digital pre-payment meters.

The deadline for redeeming them is the end of this month.

In total, £446,820 worth of support in Dumfries and Galloway has gone unclaimed.

Commenting, Colin Smyth said: “Almost seven thousand families in Dumfries and Galloway are at risk of being short-changed without action.

“Bills are soaring and it is vital that people can get the support to which they are entitled.

“Anyone with a voucher they haven’t used needs to redeem it by June 30 so they don’t miss out.

“We urgently need more action from both the UK and the Scottish governments to help people through this cost of living crisis, and to ensure everyone can get what they are entitled to.”

Vouchers were sent out to households with non-digital pre-payment meters by post, email or text message. Anyone whose voucher hasn’t arrived, or is lost or expired can ask their supplier for a new one to be issued.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.