The ALLIANCE supports joint call for urgent action on energy crisis

A coalition of organisations urges immediate support as rising costs threaten people most at risk across Scotland.

The Health and Social Care Alliance has joined a coalition of national organisations in signing a joint letter coordinated by Energy Action Scotland, urging the Scottish Government to take immediate action in response to escalating energy costs.

The letter, sent to First Minister John Swinney, highlights the growing impact of global energy prices on households across Scotland. It warns that average energy bills could exceed £2,000 from July, with further increases expected into winter 2026/2027.

Signatories – including the ALLIANCE – raise serious concerns about the disproportionate impact on those already at risk, such as disabled people, individuals with long-term conditions , families with young children and those living in rural and island communities. The letter stresses that Scotland is already facing a situation where one in three people cannot afford essential heat and power.

The coalition calls for:

• Immediate preparation of a comprehensive Winter 2026/27 Plan, ensuring support reaches those most at risk, including disabled people, those with long-term conditions, and households outside traditional support routes.
• Full involvement of the voluntary and community sector
• Increased support to the wider advice and support sectors, which continue to shoulder the administrative and operational burden of national schemes without dedicated funding.

In response, Mairi McAllan – Cabinet Secretary for Housing – acknowledged the severity of the situation and confirmed that the Scottish Government shares these concerns. She outlines initial measures, including the launch of a new emergency support scheme for households reliant on heating oil and LPG.

The Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme, delivered through Advice Direct Scotland, will provide eligible households with £3000 payments to help meet fuel costs. The scheme is due to open on 1 April and will run for up to six months.

While welcoming this immediate support, the response recognises that further action will be required. It also points to the need for UK-wide measures, including progress towards a targeted social tariff to better protect those most vulnerable to rising energy costs.

You can read the joint letter and Mairi McAllan’s response in the resources section below.

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