We have successfully secured just under £300,000 from Ofgem’s Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme to deliver hands-on fuel bill support and energy efficiency measures to residents in the local authority area.
Funding will see a dedicated team of home energy advisors provide free and impartial one-to-one support to residents who are looking for help with high energy bills and fuel debt. Eligible households will be able to access free ‘soft measures’ directly through the service, such as LED lightbulbs and draught-proofing kits.
Advice will be delivered via home visits, over the phone, and face-to-face at community events, in an effort to combat soaring energy bills and fuel poverty in the region.
Scarf delivers the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland (HES) advice service in the North East, and this new advice project will allow for effortless referrals to HES for grants and funding to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Scarf also works with other charities and advice agencies as part of a referral network, signposting customers for additional support.
David Mackay, Co-Chief Executive of Scarf, said: ‘We are delighted to secure this Redress Scheme funding to allow us to deliver this project and help householders in Moray.
‘We offer an equivalent service in five other local authority areas in the North East, and have vast experience in offering personalised, in-depth support in order to help householders experiencing high bills and debt.
‘Our advice is designed to educate and support householders on a journey out of fuel poverty. The ability to provide low cost energy efficiency measures will ensure practical improvements take place, further reducing energy use in the property.’
Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, added: ‘Rising energy bills are causing a great deal of financial pain for people in communities across Moray, with research showing that over 30% of people in the region haven’t been able to turn the heating on in the last month.
‘Scarf do great work across the north east of Scotland supporting households in fuel poverty and it is welcome news that they’re set to establish this new service in Moray, offering one to one help for those struggling with high energy bills and fuel debt.’
Householders can get in touch with an advisor or arrange a home visit by completing THIS FORM or calling freephone 0808 129 0888.
