The Scottish Government has today called for cold weather payments to be increased for vulnerable households in Scotland.

In a letter to the UK government, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil voiced concern that payments are uniform across the UK but heating costs are higher in Scotland.

Severe wind chill means that households in Scotland are exposed to temperatures below those recorded by their nearest weather station. The system used to trigger weekly cold weather payments of £25 when temperatures fall below zero.

The Scottish House Condition Survey shows that 65 per cent more fuel is used to heat a semi with gas central heating in Braemar than in Bristol.

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Braemar in Aberdeenshire saw temperatures drop to -18C on the night of December 28 and on January 8, temperatures dropped to -22.3C in Altnaharra in the far north of Scotland.

Mr Neil said: "There is a postcode lottery for cold weather payments. Households living in freezing conditions may find they are not eligible on certain weeks because the data from the nearest weather station, miles away, is out of touch.

"The system clearly needs to be more responsive and flexible to ensure vulnerable households, in every area of Scotland, get the help they need. Taking wind chill into account is not simply a technical issue. It is a fundamental to ensuring payments are calculated fairly.

"This winter has seen the coldest weather in decades and as Scotland braces itself for more snowfall and freezing conditions, I will continue to make the case for change.

I'd also encourage struggling households to call Scotland's £60 million Energy Assistance Package on 0800 512 012 for a range of help to bring down heating bills including insulation, heating systems, benefit checks, cheaper energy tariffs and energy savings advice."

Cold weather payments are reserved to the UK government.