A new home heating support fund which will help people in Renfrewshire struggling with their energy bills during the covid lockdown has been welcomed by SNP candidate for Renfrewshire North andWest, Councillor Natalie Don. The £4million Scottish Government scheme, which will be administered by national advice service Advice Direct Scotland, is designed to prevent households falling into fuel poverty. The Home Heating Support Fund is open until March 31 and applications can only be made on behalf of individuals by'referral partners'.

This includes local authorities and third sector organisations, with payments then made directly to energy suppliers on behalf of their customers.

Eligibility is based on households which are'self-rationing'their energy, meaning those who are deliberately limiting their energy use so that they can afford to spend money on other goods or services.

In 2019, an estimated 24.6 per cent of all households were in fuel poverty - around 613,000 households - and the pandemic has increased financial hardship for many.

Councillor Natalie Don has encouraged any local residents struggling with their energy bills to seek support from the fund through the energy and/or debt organisation currently providing them with advice, or by contacting Advice Direct Scotland. Councillor Don said:"I would encourage anyone struggling to heat their home to seek the help and support available. This new fund is there to help those who need it most.

"No household should suffer in fuel poverty or have to ration fuel to get by. "The covid pandemic has increased financial hardship and many Scots have been left struggling as a result of increased energy costs while working from home or home-schooling."

Referrals for the government scheme can be made through https:// homeheatingadvice.scot/