Boyack: Redeem unclaimed energy vouchers before it’s too late

Following concerns raised by the advocacy group Energy Action Scotland over the number of households with pre-payment meters who have not claimed their voucher entitlement from the UK Energy Bill Support Scheme that ended in March 2023, Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack is urging people in Edinburgh to redeem their vouchers before they expire on 30th June 2023.

In Edinburgh, 34 per cent of vouchers have yet to be claimed, with the approximate value of the unclaimed support in Edinburgh being at  around £1,374,120.

Households with non-smart (traditional) prepayment meter need to actively redeem the vouchers that have been sent by post, text or email.

Once the voucher from the energy supplier is received,  people will need to take it to a Post Office or PayPoint shop to add it to the gas or electricity top-up key or card.

Commenting Sarah Boyack MSP said: “If you live in a household with older, non-digital pre-payment meters, you have been issued with vouchers by post, text or email to support you with the rising energy costs.

“These vouchers are valid for 90 days and expired or lost vouchers can be re-issued through the energy supplier.

“However, all vouchers expire on 30th June when the scheme ends.

“If you are entitled to energy vouchers, now is time to redeem them. They may not resolve the cost of living crisis, but during these hard time, we need all support we can get.”

MSP reminds EU citizens of settlement status deadline

PENTLANDS MSP URGES: STAY IN SCOTLAND!

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, is highlighting the Wednesday 30 June 2021 deadline for the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

Whilst The SNP Scottish Government continue to work to convince the UK Government to reform the EU Settlement Scheme and extend the deadline, for now the local MSP is encouraging all EU citizens living and working in Edinburgh to apply by the 30 June 2021 deadline to retain their rights.

Support funded by the Scottish Government is available from Citizens Advice Scotland to any EU citizen living in Scotland yet to apply to the EUSS. Their team of specialist advisors can be contacted on their freephone EU Citizens Support Service helpline, 0800 916 9847.

EU citizens can learn more about rights of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens in Scotland in a series of factsheets written by JustCitizens. The factsheets include information about EU citizens’ rights to live, work, study and access healthcare, benefits and housing in Scotland. These factsheets are free for anyone to download, print and share with others.

The Scottish Government’s Stay in Scotland toolkit also includes further information on the EU Settlement Scheme, including information on rights, education and where to access support.

Gordon MacDonald is also reaching out and encouraging constituents to get in touch with him for help or advice on the EUSS or any other issue by emailing him at Gordon.MacDonald.MSP@parliament.scot or by calling his constituency office on 0131 443 0595.

The SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, said: “Scotland is a welcoming, inclusive nation and we want EU citizens to stay.

“I share Scottish Government and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s view that EU citizens should not have to apply to retain their right but given the risks it is important that I do all I can to support my EU citizen constituents.

“EU citizens have long lived with unacceptable levels of uncertainty about how Brexit will affect their lives, careers and families, and the COVID pandemic has exacerbated the difficulties faced to secure their rights and their future here.

“EU citizens are our friends, colleagues, neighbours and, in many cases, our family in Scotland and make valuable and valued contributions to life in Edinburgh and across Scotland. I want all EU citizens who have chosen to live and work in Scotland to stay.”

JustCitizens factsheets: https://justcitizens.scot/EU

The Scottish Government’s Stay in Scotland toolkit: www.mygov.scot/stayinscotland