LAST week, the Scottish Government announced a further £1.2 million to ensure households and businesses get advice support in regard to the energy price cap rise due on October 1.

My article a few weeks ago touched on my demands for an immediate freeze prior to October 1 and I will repeat that ask to the new Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Over the summer months, I have visited many businesses, charities and tourist attractions – what was clear is that the rise in energy prices places them at risk. There is no price cap for these organisations and some will see a 10-fold increase rise in energy costs.

The £1.2 million funding will be distributed to help key agencies, including Advice Direct Scotland, Home Energy Scotland and Citizen’s Advice Scotland, reach more people who need help.

The Scottish Government has allocated almost £3 billion in this financial year that will help households face the increased cost of living. This includes £10 million to continue the Fuel Insecurity Fund, which helps households at risk of severely rationing their energy use or self-disconnecting entirely. This includes direct support for households using any tariff or fuel type, and is delivered via trusted third sector partners.

The Scottish Government is clear that energy customers simply cannot be expected to carry the burden of further price rises in October, and that the UK Government must now commit to freeze the cap for all households and businesses and to support energy companies to deliver that.

The additional funding will ensure that expert advisors across the country stand ready to provide crucial support and guidance to those understandably worried about their energy bills. I would urge everyone who has concerns to access these services and get the support they need.

My office is in the process of contacting local businesses to ascertain the cost increase they face and what we can do to help.

I would encourage anyone with energy cost issues to contact me at paul.mclennan.msp@parliament.scot

I close by once again urging Liz Truss to freeze the energy price rise this October. Only she has the power to do so. I wish the Scottish Parliament had the powers to do so. If she doesn’t take this measure, I dread to think of the winter ahead.