Thousands of households relying on heating oil and LPG will continue to receive financial support through the winter after the Scottish Government extended its emergency heating scheme.

The Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme was introduced on 1 April to help low income households facing higher heating oil and LPG prices following instability in the Middle East.

More than 6,700 payments have been made since the scheme was launched, with support targeted towards households experiencing financial hardship and those at risk of rationing the fuel they need to heat their homes.

The original scheme was intended to run for six months, but continuing volatility in heating oil and LPG prices has prompted ministers to extend it through the winter and beyond.

The decision will be particularly important across the Highlands and Islands, where many homes are beyond the mains gas network and have little choice over how they heat their properties.

Around 7% of Scottish households rely on oil or LPG, with rural and island communities disproportionately represented among them.

An estimated 142,000 Scottish households use heating oil, while around 27,000 rely on LPG.

Energy Minister Stephen Gethins said:

“More than 6,700 payments have been made since the Scottish Government launched this scheme to ensure households with the greatest need could meet the cost of keeping their homes warm.

“While prices have fallen since the peak in March, ongoing international uncertainty means further increases cannot be ruled out this winter.

“That is why we are extending the scheme so eligible households can still apply for support if prices remain high over the colder months to come.”

The scheme is aimed primarily at low income households, including people receiving means tested benefits, but is also available to people experiencing financial hardship who are at risk of rationing fuel despite having unavoidable heating needs.

It is administered by Advice Direct Scotland, with payments made directly to fuel suppliers wherever possible to help qualifying households place an order.

Households using heating oil or LPG are also being encouraged to contact Home Energy Scotland for advice about reducing energy bills, improving the energy efficiency of their homes and accessing grants, loans and other support.

Beth Mukushi, Head of Programme Delivery at Home Energy Scotland, said:

“As the Scottish Government-funded energy advice service, we speak to people in rural homes every day who are looking to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient.

“They may be in off-gas areas, worried about rising energy costs or are in an older property and don’t know where to start.

“That can sometimes feel overwhelming; but we can help.”

For households across rural Scotland and the islands, where heating choices can be limited and winter temperatures unforgiving, extending the scheme means help will remain available when keeping the house warm becomes impossible to postpone.