Question reference: S6W-04650
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 25 November 2021 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 December 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many customers of Bulb Energy there are in Scotland; whether it has had any contact with Bulb Energy; if so, when, and what was discussed, and whether it has any plans to support (a) Bulb Energy customers in Scotland and (b) other customers in Scotland affected by failing energy suppliers.
Answer
Information regarding the number of Bulb customers in Scotland is not held by the Scottish Government. Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with a number of energy suppliers to discuss the ongoing challenges in the energy supply market.
Regulation of the gas and electricity markets is a reserved issue. Within this context Bulb Energy is being managed under Ofgem's special administration process - this process is designed to ensure consumers do not experience disruption to their supply and maintain their credit balances
We are concerned for all Scottish consumers facing rising energy costs particularly those who are in or at risk of fuel poverty. That is why we are making £10 million of funding available to help people struggling with their heating costs this winter. This money is in addition to the £25 million funding we are providing to local authorities to tackle financial insecurity and the further £6 million.