The Scotsman today has a report on the Poverty Alliance apparently warning the SNP on the costs of energy in rural parts, unconnected to the gas grid and where home heating oil has to be bought in bulk in the absence of any price protection.

The absence of price protection for heating oil, the regulatory framework for energy markets, and the overall approach to supporting off-grid households are reserved matters.¹

Scotland has a higher proportion of homes off the mains gas grid than most of the UK. These households (roughly 142,000 using oil) rely on heating oil (kerosene), LPG, or electricity, which lack the price protections available to gas and electricity customers.²

How do the Scottish and UK Governments compare in their help for those off-grid?

Scotland leverages devolved powers for a more proactive, layered, and tailored approach, including top-ups, dedicated programs, and long-term efficiency measures suited to its higher proportion of rural/off-grid homes.³

Here they are:

Crisis/one-off financial support:

In 2026, they topped up the UK’s £4.6m allocation with an additional ~£5.4m (total ~£10m). Launched the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil and LPG Scheme of £300 per eligible household . They target low-income households, benefits recipients, those at risk of self-rationing, and vulnerable people. There is a centralized delivery via Advice Direct Scotland for simpler access than some local authority routes.⁴

Ongoing fuel poverty and efficiency support:

The Dedicated Fuel Poverty (Scotland) Act 2019 has statutory targets and a specific definition that includes enhanced heating regimes and remote rural/island uplifts for higher living costs.⁵

The Warmer Homes Scotland energy efficiency improvements for eligible fuel-poor homeowners and private tenants include insulation, draught-proofing, and central heating upgrades. These help reduce reliance on expensive oil long-term.⁶

The Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan schemes offer support for renewables, heat pumps, in fuel poverty areas.⁷

The Additional measures: Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund has extra investment in the Scottish Welfare Fund and general advice via Home Energy Scotland.

The Winter heating support: Own devolved Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, replacing the UK Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland up to £300 per household.⁸

To summarise, in Scotland, we see more comprehensive, sustained help with direct cash top-ups in crises, proactive grants/loans for insulation and heating upgrades that address root causes (inefficient homes and high fuel costs). Also, there is a stronger rural/remote focus via the strategy and the uplifts.

Sources:

1. https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-03-16/debates/FD337023-5A6C-4BB5-9A46-B30E911D16E9/HeatingOilSupport
2. https://consumer.scot/news/consumer-scotland-statement-on-recent-increases-in-oil-and-gas-prices/
3. https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-house-condition-survey-2024-key-findings/pages/3-fuel-poverty/
4. https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/help-households-using-heating-oil
5. https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-house-condition-survey-2024-key-findings/pages/3-fuel-poverty/
6. https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/warmer-homes-scotland
7. https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/
8. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10094/