£100 Energy Payment Rolls Out in Scotland; Perth Households Work Out It Will Keep the Heating On Until Approximately Wednesday

By our Household Bills Correspondent

Scottish households are to get a little help with their energy bills this winter, with a £100 payment being rolled out.

Perth has greeted the news warmly, which is more than can be said for most Perth living rooms.

“A hundred pounds is a hundred pounds,” said a Letham pensioner. “I’m not complaining. I’ve worked it out, and if I’m careful, it’ll keep the heating on until about Wednesday. Then I’ll put on the purple cardigan. The purple cardigan has got me through four winters.”

A young couple in a flat off the Dunkeld Road said the money would go “straight into the meter, without stopping”.

Others have bigger plans. “I’m going to turn the heating up by one degree,” said a Craigie man. “Just one. For one evening. I want to know what it feels like. My wife says I’ll get above myself.”

Energy experts advise that the best way to save money is to heat only the rooms you are using. Perth residents point out that they have been doing this since 1952, and that the room they are using is the kitchen, with the oven door open.

The Perthetic welcomes any help with bills and reminds readers that a hot water bottle is still the cheapest form of central heating ever invented.

The real story: Scottish energy payment (BBC Scotland Politics)