· Scottish Gas and Post Office bring the Scottish Gas Post Office Pop-Ups to communities with highest need, with events across Glasgow, Stornoway, Kirkwall and Aberdeen
· Since May last year, the partnership initiative has seen over 122 Pop-Ups in 62 locations take place across Great Britain to support people in need
Scottish Gas and Post Office bring the successful Scottish Gas Post Office Pop-Ups to Glasgow and Aberdeen, as well as two of the furthest corners of the nation – Stornoway and Kirkwall.
The Scottish Pop-Ups follow the 122 events that have taken place across Great Britain since the initiative launched as a pilot programme in May 2022, supporting people with practical and financial advice from expert money and energy advisors and providing grant eligibility assistance to those who need it most.
The Scottish Gas Post Office Pop-Ups aim to reassure bill payers with experts answering their questions and concerns in an environment that’s familiar, safe and local to them.
More importantly, at every event, money and energy advisers from local British Gas Energy Trust funded charities will be offering an in-depth overview of the support available, signposting people to other organisations who may be able to help, checking benefits entitlements and providing free energy-saving tips and advice.
The first of the series of eight Scottish Gas Post Office Pop-ups opens today in Glasgow, providing people with confidential advice from Scottish Gas Energy Trust-funded organisations. Those struggling with energy debt will be directed to the independent advice available through British Gas Energy Trust and the organisations they fund, including energy saving advice and access to grant.
The Scottish Pop-Ups are even offering support to the most remote areas of Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands, as Scottish Gas understands these are the communities with the highest need.
The dates and locations include:
· Glasgow – 21st and 22nd March
· Aberdeen – 23rd and 24th March
· Stornoway – 27th and 28th March
· Orkney – 30th and 31st March
Jessica Taplin, British Gas Energy Trust Chief Executive said:“Helping Scottish people continues to be a priority for us in 2023. With many people unable to access financial support and advice online, these Pop-Ups will be a lifeline to those really struggling this spring.
“As always, our mission is to help alleviate the detrimental impact of poverty. By working closely with Scottish organisations already embedded in the local communities, we can provide much needed financial and practical support to vulnerable members of the community, whether you’re a Scottish Gas customer or not.”
Scottish Labour MSP, Sarah Boyack, has called on the Tory UK Government to get on with delivering their cost of living support package as who do not have a domestic electricity contract are still waiting for details of the support they will receive, despite payments already being made to residents with a domestic energy contract.
People without domestic electricity contracts are still waiting for confirmation that they will receive the £400 Energy Bill Support and how this will be paid to them
In a policy paper, the UK Government confirmed that the support will be provided to those who do not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier – however, there is still no clarity about the process.
Sarah Boyack, Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian, said: “While there is revolving door for Prime Ministers and Ministers, the Tories are failing to deliver for local residents here in Edinburgh.
“Local residents who do not have a direct relationship with their energy supplier are still waiting for the clarification on how and when they will receive the £400 Energy Bill Support, as the winter weather starts to come in.
“The cost of living emergency is already starting to bite as more and more families are having to make the choice between heating and eating.
“I have written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to announce details as soon as possible which will provide certainty to families.”
Environmental campaigners have reacted to the announcement that oil giant Shell has made £8.19bn ($9.5 Billion) in profits in the third quarter of this year.
Campaigners say that the forthcoming Scottish Energy Strategy is a chance for Scotland to ‘chart a clear path’ away from the oil and gas companies who are harming people and the planet to instead create an energy system that runs on renewable energy.
Climate science is clear that we urgently need to transition away from our broken fossil fuel energy system in order to stay within safe climate limits. Analysis has shown that renewable energy is 9 times cheaper than new fossil fuel energy.
Independent climate advisors have made it clear that increasing UK supply of oil and gas will have almost no impact on UK bills as prices are set by the international market. However, continued reliance on volatile fossil fuels will leave millions vulnerable to spikes in their prices.
Shell’s profits for the previous 3 months of 2022 (Q2) were £9.5billion ($11.5billion).
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Oil and Gas campaigner Freya Aitchison said: “The announcement of yet another obscene profit for Shell shows the scale of the pain that these companies are inflicting on the public.
“While oil companies continue to make record breaking profits, ordinary people are facing skyrocketing energy bills and millions are being pushed into fuel poverty.
“Bosses and shareholders at Shell are being allowed to get even richer by exploiting one of our most basic needs. Shell is also worsening climate breakdown and extreme weather by continuing to invest and lock us into new oil and gas projects for decades to come.
“The Scottish Government must use the opportunity of its forthcoming Energy Strategy to chart a clear path away from fossil fuels and towards an energy system that is built on clean, reliable renewables.
“They must listen to the science which tells us that to meet climate targets in a fair way, fossil fuel extraction needs to be phased out in the next decade.”
The First Minister has convened a second summit with energy companies and advice organisations.
Further actions to support consumers and businesses through the winter have been agreed at yesterday’s virtual summit between energy companies and advice organisations and Ministers.
The energy cost crisis summit discussed this week’s reversals to UK Government measures set out since the previous summit, and agreed longer-term certainty is urgently needed ahead of the anticipated energy price cap increase, currently due in April.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The curtailing of the Energy Price Guarantee by the Chancellor of the Exchequer earlier this week has eradicated what meagre certainty people and businesses had over their bills and finances in the short to medium-term.
“Even the current cap of £2,500 until April – while better than a rise to £3,500 – is still a very significant increase for households who are already struggling to pay their bills and heat their homes. Without further mitigation the increase to £2,500 under the Energy Price Guarantee will see an additional 150,000 households in extreme fuel poverty.
“The deficiencies in the UK Government’s package mean we are still in an emergency situation. The economic outlook has been made far worse by other aspects of the mini-budget – most of which have now had to be reversed entirely.
“The Scottish Government is working hard within its limited powers and finite budget to support people, business, public services and the economy. Part of that work will involve ongoing engagement with energy companies and advice organisations throughout the winter to see how, individually and collectively, we can alleviate the huge challenges people are facing as well as signposting existing schemes and support that is available.
“It is clear however that more substantial reform of the energy market is needed to address the issue in the long term, and the power to do so lies with the UK Government.”
The government’s offer of grants to replace gas boilers with heat pumps will be useless for most consumers, according to industry experts.
Myles Robinson, heating expert at Boiler Central, said: “The plan is misleading for UK consumers. The government is suggesting that all homes can have heat pumps to replace gas boilers, when in fact only a small percentage of UK homes are suitable for them.
“As well as the fact that government grants would only fund heat pumps in 90,000 homes in the first place, the rollout of heat pumps is not a viable long-term solution for the energy crisis given that most households can’t use them.
“For homes to be suitable to have a heat pump installed, there would need to be enough outside space to fit the large unit of the pump. The floor inside the home would also need insulation to make using a heat pump worthwhile.
“We estimate that only 50% of homes would be suitable currently, but when you take into account the costs and inadequate funding offered, this will be a much lesser percentage.
“The government is looking into using hydrogen as a suitable alternative, which is much more suited to UK homes. However, as progress is slow on getting gas grids to switch to hydrogen, the UK is pushing heat pumps as a solution when they are just a sticking plaster on a serious problem.
“In the coming years, the government are planning on introducing 20% hydrogen and 80% gas as a way of fuelling homes, with a long-term view to using 100% hydrogen. However, the technology is decades away from being fully rolled out.
“Like the ‘green grants’ launched last year half-way through the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect consumer confusion and no clear progression on what exactly will be fuelling our homes in 20 years.”
Statement to Parliament on the UK gas market by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng:
With permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement on the UK Gas Market.
As Honourable and Right Honourable members will be aware, over the weekend I held meetings with Ofgem and energy companies, and this morning I held a further roundtable discussion.
Today I will set out the government’s approach to manage the impact of high global gas prices affecting the UK – and countries across Europe.
To begin, I want to make two points extremely clear.
Firstly, Mr Speaker, I must stress that protecting consumers is our no.1, our primary focus – and will shape our entire approach to this important issue.
Secondly, I also want to reassure the House that while the UK – like other countries in Europe – has been affected by global prices, Britain benefits from having a diverse range of gas supply sources.
We have sufficient capacity and more than sufficient capacity to meet demand, and we do not expect supply emergencies to occur this winter.
There is absolutely no question, Mr. Speaker, of the lights going out, or people being unable to heat their homes.
There’ll be no three-day working weeks, or a throw-back to the 1970s. Such thinking is alarmist, unhelpful and completely misguided.
To begin I’d like to set out some context for the global situation we are now witnessing.
As the world comes out of COVID-19 and economies begin to reopen, we are seeing a dramatic uptake in global gas demand, much faster than many people had anticipated.
High demand in Asia for Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), transported globally by freight, means that far less LNG has reached Europe. Weather events in the US have also affected LNG exports to Europe.
So therefore, increased demand, coupled with reduced variety of supply globally, has put upward pressure on the price of gas traded globally.
High wholesale gas prices have subsequently driven an increase in wholesale power prices, with a number of short-term markets trading at, or near, record levels.
While we are not complacent, we do not expect supply emergencies this winter. This is a very important point. This is not a question of security of supply.
The GB, the Great British, UK gas system has delivered securely to date and is expected to continue to function effectively, with a diverse range of supply sources and sufficient delivery capacity to more than meet demand.
The National Grid Electricity System Operator has the tools within itself to operate the electricity system reliably, to balance that system and we remain confident that electricity security can be maintained under a very wide range of scenarios.
We aren’t reliant on any one particular source for our gas, like many of our friends in Europe.
Domestic production, and member and right honourable members should know, is still our largest single gas supply source, and accounted for about 50% of total supply last year.
However, the UK also benefits from an excellent relationship with Norway, one of our most important and reliable energy partners, and that delivers nearly 30% of our total gas supply. Just in the past half hour, I was privileged enough to speak to the Norwegian Energy Minister to welcome the announcement from Equanoir today that gas production will significantly increase from 1 October to support the UK and European demand.
Our remaining supply, Mr Speaker, is sourced from global markets via two interconnectors to the Continent, and also through our LNG infrastructures, which is as many of you know, the largest in Europe.
Obviously, the global gas situation has had an impact on some energy suppliers. We have already seen four suppliers exit the market in recent weeks, and we may well expect to see further companies exiting the market over the coming weeks.
I have to say, Mr. Speaker, at this point that having been energy minister for nearly 2 years before I became Secretary of State, we saw in those two years, at around this time, companies exiting the market. It may well be more this year, but this is something that, as this time of year, and ahead of the renewable obligation, is often seen in the market.
I want to make clear today, however, that it is not unusual for smaller energy suppliers to exit the market – particularly, I may add, when wholesale global prices are rising.
The sector has seen regular entry and exit over the last five to 10 years, that is the feature of a highly competitive market.
The current global situation may see more suppliers than usual exiting the market, but this is not something that should be cause for alarm or panic.
We have clear, processes in place to make sure all customers are supplied with energy. When an energy supplier typically fails, Ofgem appoints another supplier to take on serving the customers and there is no interruption to supply. I reiterate, our first and primary concern is for the customer.
I’d like to stress three further principles, which are guiding my and the government’s approach in this matter.
Firstly, the government will not be bailing out failed companies. There will be no rewards for failure or mismanagement. The taxpayer should not be expected to prop-up companies who have poor business models and are not resilient to fluctuations in price.
Secondly, customers, especially and most particularly vulnerable customers, must be protected from price spikes.
And thirdly, Mr. Speaker, we must ensure that the energy market does not pay the price for the poor practices of a minority of companies, and that the market still maintains the competition that is a feature of today’s current system. We must not see a return to, I quote, the “cosy oligopoly” of years past, where a few large suppliers simply dictated to customers conditions and pricing.
I’d like to reassure all members, and honourable members and their constituents that the Energy Price Cap – which still saves 15 million households up to £100 a year is staying – isn’t going anywhere.
As I said earlier, our priority in this situation has to be the consumer, the Great British public, and the cap has done that effectively. It protects, and has protected, millions of customers from sudden increases in global gas prices this winter. We are committed to the Price Cap and it will remain in place.
Meanwhile, our Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments will continue supporting millions of vulnerable and low-income households with their energy bills.
It is absolutely vital that the energy supply sector remains a liberalised competitive market in order to deliver value and good service to consumers.
As a result of high global gas prices, members and right honourable members will have read, two fertiliser plants shut down in Teesside and Cheshire last week. They suspended the production of CO2 and anomia. A decision which has affected in the short-term our domestic supply of CO2, which is used in the food and drink, as well as the nuclear and health sectors.
Yesterday, I met Tony Will, the global chief executive of CF Industries. We discussed the pressures the business is facing and explored, quite thoroughly, possible ways to secure vital supplies.
Work is ongoing across departments in Whitehall, across government to ensure that those sectors impacted and affected by this announcement have appropriate contingency plans in place to ensure that there is indeed minimal disruption. To maintain our domestic supplies of CO2, we are in constant contact with relevant companies who produce and supply CO2 and we are monitoring the situation minute by minute.
Over the past few days, as has been widely reported, I have held several discussions with chief executives of the UK’s largest energy suppliers and operators, and also with Ofgem to discuss this vital issue.
Just this morning, I chaired a roundtable with UK energy companies & the representatives of consumer groups, in which I reiterated as I have on the floor of this house, the need for us all of us in government and industry to prioritise customers, in short to protect the consumer.
Meetings continue across government today and throughout the course of this week.
In terms of further actions and statements, this afternoon, shortly after the statement presented here, I will be making a joint statement with Ofgem setting out the government’s next steps following healthy and illuminating discussions with them and suppliers.
Mr Speaker, our security of gas supply is robust. But it is the case that the UK is still too reliant on fossil fuels. Our exposure to volatile global gas prices underscores the importance of our plan to build a strong, home-grown renewable energy sector to strengthen our energy security into the future.
Thanks to the steps that we have made as a government, renewable energy has quadrupled in terms of gigawatts capacity since 2010, far more than quadrupled in fact – but there is clearly a lot more we can do in this area.
That is why we committed to approve at least one large-scale new nuclear project in the next few years, and are backing the next generation of advanced nuclear technology with £385 million, helping to attract billions of pounds in private capital and create tens of thousands of jobs.
Consumers come first. We must protect our constituents.
Gas market and soaring fuel prices: joint statement from Government and Ofgem
Joint statement on the UK gas market from Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, and Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley:
The recent increase in wholesale global gas prices continues to be a cause of concern for consumers, businesses and energy suppliers across the UK.
We want to be clear that this is not an issue of supply – the United Kingdom benefits from having a diverse range of gas supply sources with capacity that can more than meet demand.
This morning we hosted a roundtable with leading energy suppliers and consumer groups to hear about the challenges they currently face. There was overarching consensus among meeting participants that the top priority must be ongoing support for energy customers, especially the elderly and vulnerable. In the event an energy supplier fails, we are committed that consumers face the least amount of disruption possible – and there are clear and well-established processes in place to ensuring this is the case.
In the coming days, we will also meet with smaller and challenger energy suppliers and set out the next steps for protecting consumers, businesses and energy suppliers from these global prices rises. Central to any next steps is our clear and agreed position that the Energy Price Cap will remain in place.
A new national campaign to ensure households know what energy initiatives they are entitled to was launched today (October 7). The campaign following a recent survey which shows 75 per cent of Scots are worried about their energy bills.
Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, launched the campaign which highlights the benefits available to Scots through the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland hotline [0808 808 2282] which offers free impartial energy advice and support.
The Scottish Government has a budget of £74 million this year to help Scots reduce their fuel bills and transform Scotland’s housing stock into warmer, more efficient, greener homes – all part of actions to increase energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty in 2013/14.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Home Energy Scotland hotline is an invaluable source of support for householders all over the country, providing a one stop shop for the Scottish Government’s home energy-saving initiatives.
“Many people are losing money by not taking up initiatives, yet anyone can apply for up to £1200 towards home improvements that will make their home warmer, greener and more cost-effective.
“Many people will also qualify to get energy-saving home improvements such as insulation, boilers or central heating for free. The hotline’s advisers are friendly and impartial and one call is all it takes to see what you might be eligible for.”
A YouGov survey recently found that three-quarters of Scots are concerned about the cost of their energy bills this winter, while more than 70 per cent of Scottish bill payers said last winter’s energy bills had a negative impact on their disposable income. Around 80 per cent (81 per cent) of householders also admit to being energy wasters at home.
More than 800,000 Scots have been offered energy advice or assistance on heating bills since 2009 , accessible through the Home Energy Scotland hotline.
Thousands of households across Scotland are eligible to have insulation, boilers and central heating installed for free. One call to the hotline is all it takes to find out if you qualify.
A home that isn’t well insulated can lose more than 50 per cent of its heat through its roof and walls, yet just a quarter of Scots surveyed would consider getting new insulation compared to the 71 per cent that said they would consider wearing a coat or extra jumper indoors in order to keep their bills low.
The Home Energy Scotland hotline’s expert advisers can inform callers which of the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programmes they qualify for, as well as giving personalised advice on how to make homes more efficient.
People across Scotland are being urged to take advantage of a new offer to seek assistance to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, helping to reduce household energy bills.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing today announced that from July 1, households can apply for a free Green Deal assessment which, once completed will provide advice on how homes can be made greener and more energy efficient and qualify households for a Green Homes Cashback voucher.
Getting loft insulation, for example, can reduce energy bills by up to £175 per year, while replacing single-glazed windows with double glazed ones could save the average home around £165 per year.
And taking simple steps to draught-proof can cut £55 per year off the average property’s energy bill, while getting a new, energy efficient boiler could save a three bedroom home owner up to £300 annually.
Mr Ewing (pictured below) said: “It is my belief that everyone in Scotland should live in a warm and safe home that doesn’t cost the earth to heat. In these current economic times, it is more important than ever that people take advantage of money saving opportunities like these when they can.
“There is a wide range of financial support and offers available to Scottish households to support them when it comes to making the decision that is right for them. And from today, households can apply for a voucher for a free home energy assessment.
“I would urge anyone who would like to reduce their energy bills to contact the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland hotline line as soon as possible to find out about how to get a Green Deal assessment and to find out about the offers available to them.”
More information on the Green Deal assessment and on how to apply for a Green Homes Cashback voucher can be found at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland or by telephoning the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland hotline -free – on 0808 808 2282
Save the Date: November 4, 2023
Where: McDonald Library, The Nelson Hall
Address: 2-8 McDonald Rd, Edinburgh EH7 4LU
