Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 12 March 2026 [Draft]
12 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Heating Costs (Rural Households)
The First Minister will be aware that the UK Government is issuing guidance to its local authorities to use crisis and resilience funds to protect those who are dependent on oil and gas heating. Will he look at making crisis grant funds available to people in islands and rural areas who are dependent on gas and oil for heating? Will he also look at how Consumer Scotland can support the Competition and Markets Authority to engage with people who are suffering because of the soaring costs?
In the same item of business
4. Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
To ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government can take, in discussion with the United Kingdom Government, to assist households in very rura...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
We have engaged with the industry to understand the implications of the serious issue that Christine Grahame raises with me. We also seek to engage with the ...
Christine Grahame
SNP
I note that Rachel Reeves has referred the hike to the Competition and Markets Authority, but my constituents and, I suspect, constituents of many members th...
The First Minister
SNP
The Cabinet Secretary for Housing has already written to the UK Government confirming our support for the Competition and Markets Authority enforcement actio...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Borders residents have also written to me about the rise in fuel prices, and particularly those who live in fuel poverty. Will the First Minister consider ma...
The First Minister
SNP
The issues in relation to energy prices are a reserved matter for the United Kingdom Government. As I set out, the mechanism is the alternative fuel payment ...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
The First Minister will be aware that the UK Government is issuing guidance to its local authorities to use crisis and resilience funds to protect those who ...
The First Minister
SNP
Consumer Scotland will certainly engage very actively with the Competition and Markets Authority. Consumer Scotland is a very good organisation that serves u...