During today’s Scottish Parliament debate on cost of living
support, Public Finance Minister announced plans to look at ways
of recouping money from owners of second homes and empty homes
who have received the £400 payment from the UK Government’s
Energy Bills Support Scheme.
Mr Arthur said:
“In this cost of living crisis, it is vital resources are
directed at those who need it most, so it is clearly wrong that
second home owners or those who own long term empty homes benefit
from a second £400 energy rebate.
“The Scottish Government will work with COSLA and local
government to examine how to recover this money, including
through a council tax levy. We will also work them to examine how
to use the funds raised to support local cost of living responses
on a fair and equitable basis across Scotland.
“Through the budget for 2022/23, the Scottish Government has
allocated almost £3 billion to a range of support that will
contribute to mitigating the impact of the increased cost of
living on households. This includes work to tackle child poverty,
reduce inequalities and support financial wellbeing, alongside
social security payments not available anywhere else in the UK.
“The UK Government holds most of the powers needed to tackle the
cost of living crisis – both in the immediate and longer term –
including over energy, the minimum wage, National Insurance and
85% of social security spending. The Scottish Government has
continually urged the UK Government to use all its powers and
fiscal headroom to address the cost of living crisis.”
Background
Read the Minister’s speech to
Parliament here.
