Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 13 November 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the steps it is taking to support households struggling with energy bill debt.
Energy prices are reserved and we have been pressing the UK Government to tackle energy debt by immediately delivering a targeted and automatic unit rate discount on energy bills.
In 2025/26, we are delivering a £16.9 million package for free advice on income maximisation and debt, including over £11 million to debt advice services, with almost £1 million of additional funding for energy debt advice.
We are also providing an estimated £28.3 million through our Winter Heating Payment, £11.4 million through our Child Winter Heating Payment, and £157 million through our Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.