Mark is backing Big Energy Week – a new initiative by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) to help people cut their energy bills by making sure people have all the information and advice they need at a time when family budgets are under pressure.

Mark said:

“Meeting bills for something so basic as heating the home in cold weather and cooking meals is a real struggle for so many people in Scotland today.

“One third of households overall and 65% of pensioners in Scotland are in fuel poverty.

“Everybody’s household finances are currently being squeezed and it’s vital that vulnerable groups like the elderly or disabled especially shouldn’t feel forced to turn off the heating because of the cost.

“That’s why Citizens Advice Scotland’s Big Energy Week is so welcome with help and advice on cutting your energy bills.”

Mark has campaigned actively on fuel poverty both locally and at Westminster over a long period and in June he challenged the Prime Minister on what action he was taking to help tackle soaring energy bills this winter. You can find what he said here.

Big Energy Week - www.bigenergyweek.org.uk - aims to help people in Scotland get all the free support and advice they are entitled to in order to help them spend less on heating the home.

Citizens Advice Scotland’s top tips to cut fuel bills include:

Contact your supplier to check you are on the best tariff and payment method for you – paying by direct debit is on average £100 cheaper per year than paying by cash or cheque.

Visit an accredited switching website to see if you could get your energy cheaper elsewhere.

Insulate the walls and the loft of your home which could save on average around £120 per year. All major gas and electricity suppliers are giving away free or discounted insulation to any household, not just their own customers

Check you are not missing out on any benefits or tax credits that could up your income; your local Citizens Advice Bureaux can help you with this.