And with energy prices increased this month, it is hoped that this will be of great benefit to those who need advice and support the most.

Leader of the Council Joe Fagan said: “Our partnership project with Scotland’s gas network operator SGN has come at the right time, with average energy prices increasing in January 2025 by 1.2%.

“This partnership between the council’s Money Matters Advice Service and SGN will increase the availability of advice and assistance for South Lanarkshire’s residents who are struggling with rising energy bills and keeping their heating on this winter.”

The council’s Money Matters Advice Service is free and confidential, helping people claim benefits and deal with debt, providing unbiased advice and will work with you by discussing all your options.

South Lanarkshire residents can either complete a Money Matters online form or call the Community Wellbeing Team on 0300 029 0041. An in-person service can also be arranged with the Community Hubs across South Lanarkshire.

SGN is also providing energy crisis support to help residents stay safe and warm at home by saving on energy, reducing usage and support with paying your bills.

Margaret Hamilton, Community Partnership Manager at SGN, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with South Lanarkshire Council to provide our essential energy support and safeguarding service to households.

“South Lanarkshire Council are seeing first hand the impact the cost of living crisis is having on those with families struggling to afford to maintain a safe and warm home.

“This new partnership will support households in the communities we serve use energy safely, efficiently and affordably to help address fuel poverty and the challenges they face.”

The most recent Scottish Housing Condition Survey shows that in South Lanarkshire 22% of all local authority households are in fuel poverty, with this figure rising to 36% for all other social landlord households and 35% for private sector households.

And 9% of all local authority households are in extreme fuel poverty, with that figure rising to 11% for all other social landlord households and 20% for private sector households.

Through the partnership with SGN, the council’s aims to reduce fuel poverty to levels lower than the Scottish average, include:

• Provide 3,000 clients with basic energy advice
• Assist 1,000 clients to register with their energy providers Priority Service Register
• Assist 1,500 clients to register with Scottish Waters Priority Service Register
• Have 3,000 CO2 Awareness conversations
• Distribute 150 CO2 Alarms
• Provide 300 households with energy advice in relation to:
  • Metering and billing issues
  • Energy debt issues
  • Budgeting to address over-dependency on energy top-up vouchers
  • Energy Saving Advice
• Provide 300 households with income maximisation advice
• Provide 300 households with emergency intervention support by providing 300 x £50 top up vouchers
• Provide 300 households with benefit advice, including benefit checks.
• Provide CO2 Awareness training to 65 Money Advice staff
• Distribute 5000 fuel poverty leaflets across South Lanarkshire