Food bank users to get help with their energy bills in pilot scheme

Lifeline credit for heating and lighting will be available to residents of a Scottish council area thanks to a deal struck by SNP politicians with a major power company.

The Quick Credit Voucher scheme was offered for the first time in South Lanarkshire two weeks ago as temperatures plummeted below 0°C.

Since then Hamilton District Food Bank has issued “quite a number” of referrals to the ScottishPower initiative, which is only open to the power giant’s customers and provides £49 worth of power.

Delivered through the company’s hardship fund, which aims to help customers who are struggling to pay their bills, the vouchers have been provided after talks between bosses, local MSP Christina McKelvie and councillor Julia Marrs.

It is also set to be rolled out through Clydesdale Food Bank.

McKelvie, who represents Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, said the introduction of the scheme followed months of work.

She said: “This has been an issue both Julia and I have been quietly working on for our constituents for months and I am delighted we can now formally announce the voucher scheme.

“Ideally there would be no need for our constituents to use the scheme. However, as I see more and more of my constituents forced into fuel poverty by the continued austerity drive of the UK Conservative government, action needed to be taken.

“I am delighted ScottishPower have stepped up to the mantle and provided humanity, understanding and warmth to those that require it, especially as we feel the full chill of winter.”

Marrs, SNP councillor for Clydesdale, went on: “I am thrilled that after many months of discussion, ScottishPower, in partnership with Hamilton District and Clydesdale foodbanks, are able to offer direct help to constituents in dire need.”

She went on: “No-one should suffer freezing temperatures in the dark, especially at Christmas time, and with the roll-out of Universal Credit biting hard those waiting up to six weeks for their first payment, this help has come just at the right time.”

Isobel Graham, manager of Hamilton District Food Bank, confirmed that many clients were seeking help as a consequence of the switch to Universal Credit.

The Department for Work and Pensions says the benefit helps more people gain jobs, with this group remaining in work for longer. However, delays in accessing initial payments have brought condemnation from users, charities and MPs.

Interest-free advances are available, but must then be repaid over six months, and social housing providers in areas where the benefit is live report a huge increase in arrears.

Graham said: “At one time our service-users were mainly young single men – now we are seeing more and more families.

“It’s really grim, it’s heartbreaking. Until now we’ve given out sleeping bags and blankets to people without heating. Now we can help them switch the power on.”

Under the scheme, food bank teams refer those eligible for a power credit voucher, which is then redeemed for gas or electricity.

Separate vouchers are required for each, with a maximum of three claims allowed by each person within a 12-month period.

The £49 sum is the winter rate, with lower credit levels to be applied in the summer.

A closing date for the scheme has not yet been set.

Douglas McLaren, retail operations director at ScottishPower, said: “We offer a wide range of support to our customers, and after meeting Christina McKelvie MSP and Councillor Julia Marrs, we were keen to work with them to pilot this new initiative.”

“It is our hope that the scheme will provide some extra help for those who need it most.”