Martin Whitfield MSP is encouraging residents in his South Scotland region to Be Winter Ready and, if eligible, to sign up to receive additional support in the event of bad weather.

The UK’s energy networks are amongst the most reliable in the world, but no system can ever be 100 per cent weatherproof. Mr Whitfield is backing Be Winter Ready campaign, a campaign run by Energy Networks Association (ENA) on behalf of the energy industry, to ensure local residents are well prepared this winter.

This year’s campaign aims to help people understand the steps they can take to prepare for potential weather-related disruptions to their power. As part of the energy industry’s campaign, Mr Whitfield is helping to raise awareness of the campaign’s three key messages: Prepare, Care, and Share.

The South Scotland MSP is also highlighting the importance of the Priority Services Register, which is a free service that allows people with additional needs to receive extra help and support if there is a power cut or disruption to their gas supply.

The support includes advanced notice of planned power cuts, priority support in an emergency, and identification schemes to reassure residents that the people who are helping them are genuine. Residents can sign up to the register by contacting their local energy network provider or supplier, and they can also register someone else on the Priority Services Register, such as a friend or family members.

To identify their energy supplier, customers can look at their latest energy bill for contact details, and they can find out who their local energy network operator is by inputting their postcode through the Energy Network Association’s website.

Commenting, Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“I’m pleased to be supporting Energy Networks Association’s campaign – Be Winter Ready – and to encourage residents across South Scotland Region to plan ahead for bad weather which might disrupt energy supplies.

“If you’re a household with young children, with elderly or disabled people, or with anybody else who may have additional needs, you can register for extra support in the event of disruption to your power supply by signing up to the Priority Services Register. This includes advanced notice of planned power cuts and priority supply in an emergency.

“I would encourage anybody who thinks they may be eligible to visit Energy Networks Association’s website for more information.”

More information on Energy Networks Association’s Be Winter Ready campaign can be found at www.energynetworks.org/customers/be-winter-ready.