HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS LIB DEMS PUSH FOR ACTION TO FORESTALL NORTH HEATING OIL CRISIS

6.03.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 21st Sep 2008

The regional conference of the Highlands & Islands Liberal Democrats has made an urgent call for action to help heating oil users during the coming winter.

Liberal Democrat members from right across the region gathered today [Saturday] at the Beaufort Hotel in Inverness to discuss a range of issues and campaigns. The event was attended by councillors, MPs, MSPs and Scotland's Liberal Democrat MEP, Elspeth Attwooll.

The conference backed an emergency policy motion which highlights the vulnerability of heating oil users who have no access to the social tariffs offered by major gas and electricity suppliers, and face steep minimum order requirements to maintain their fuel supply.

Commenting after the debate, Ross, Skye & Inverness West MSP John Farquhar Munro said:

"Energy prices have increased far in excess of people's incomes. Most pensioners have been left even further behind. More and more are facing a stark and unacceptable choice between heating and eating.

"Responding to questions from Danny Alexander, the Government has already admitted that people with heating oil are more than twice as likely to be living in fuel poverty as others. That situation is likely to be getting worse rather than better.

"Action is needed across the board to help with rising energy costs, but emergency help for heating oil users on lower incomes is increasingly critical as we see the return of colder weather.

"It isn't good enough for our Governments in Edinburgh and London to ignore the situation any longer. Liberal Democrats from across the Highlands & Islands are determined to make them listen."

Contributing to the debate both Nairn councillor Graham Marsden and Inverness South councillor Thomas Prag spoke of constituents who fear being left unable to heat their homes in the months ahead.

The conference called for attention to be given to a range of proposals - including a heating oil supplement to the Winter Fuel Payment, and a mechanism to ensure 'crisis deliveries' can be made during the coming winter to households left unable to meet the up-front cost. It also backed a review of long term policies to help those wishing to explore alternatives to heating oil like ground and air source heat pumps, as well as improved energy efficiency.