A Highlands and Islands MSP has welcomed proposals to help protect households from rising heating oil costs but says they should be accompanied by greater investment in improving the energy efficiency of homes.

Scottish Greens MSP Ariane Burgess said a proposed heating oil price checker would offer useful support but argued that reducing the amount of energy homes need is the longer term solution for households facing high fuel bills.

The comments come as concerns continue over energy prices ahead of the coming winter, particularly for rural communities that rely on heating oil rather than mains gas.

Ms Burgess said many homes across the Highlands and Islands remain difficult to heat because of poor insulation, resulting in higher energy costs for households.

She also highlighted the previous Heat in Buildings Bill, which was not taken forward, and said her party wants to see legislation brought back alongside greater support for improving older properties.

Ariane Burgess said:

“I’m deeply concerned that thousands of people in the Highlands and Islands are once again facing a winter of high energy prices.

“This is the fifth year in a row where folks may find themselves having to make the unacceptable choice between heating and eating.

“Despite the repeated energy price shocks we’ve seen since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the Scottish and UK Governments are still relying on sticking plaster measures instead of the major change that’s needed.

“While the heating oil price checker would be a useful measure, it does little to solve the ongoing issue of volatile fossil fuel prices.

“The best course of action is to reduce people’s need for energy by improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

“Across the Highlands and Islands, there are too many homes that are draughty and struggle to keep the heat in.

“What’s needed is direct Government intervention so that we can fully insulate homes and keep the people in them warm.

“Not only would this course of action cut energy bills for households, it’d also be a positive step towards meeting our climate targets and reducing the need for fossil fuels.”