Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, has welcomed the support being given on energy bills by the UK Government to customers across Lanarkshire.
Mr Simpson’s call comes after new figures published by the UK Government highlighted the scale of the support provided in the three-month period between October and December last year in North and South Lanarkshire.
The figures show that a total of 450,390 payments were delivered in North Lanarkshire out of a total of 460,020 that were due to be delivered. In South Lanarkshire, 441,280 payments were delivered out of a total of 450,500 due to be delivered.
The UK Government figures also show that a total of 41,850 electricity vouchers were redeemed out of 59,260 that were issued to customers in North Lanarkshire. In South Lanarkshire, 32,340 vouchers were redeemed out of 47,930.
Mr Simpson says that while Vladimir Putin’s barbaric war in Ukraine over the last year has, alongside the effects of the Covid pandemic, led to increased energy bills, these figures show that the UK Government is on the side of consumers in his constituency.
He added this support will have brought about relief for people in Lanarkshire who should not hesitate to contact him if they have any issues in receiving this support.
Central Scotland MSP, Graham Simpson said: “Vladimir Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine as well as the knock-on effects of the Covid pandemic have played a huge part in rising energy bills for customers in Lanarkshire.
“I know that has led to unsustainable bills for many people, which has left them feeling very anxious.
“That is why I welcome the significant support the UK Government has provided in relation to energy bills. UK Government ministers were not prepared to sit idly by while these bills kept on rising.
“These figures confirm that there has been a major success rate in delivering payments during the winter months of last year in our region as well as a huge uptake in the number of vouchers being used.
“That shows that the UK Government are on the side of the consumer in Lanarkshire and these payments will have given some relief to people across the constituency.
“If anyone has questions about receiving this support as bills continue to rise, then they should not hesitate to contact me.”
