The Scottish Authorities is to discover methods of taking again £400 price of dwelling funds given to individuals with a number of properties.
Public finance minister Tom Arthur advised MSPs it was “clearly improper” that individuals with sufficient cash for a couple of home ought to get assist with their power payments.
The measure was introduced by Rishi Sunak final month as a part of his £21bn emergency bundle.
It would see £400 knocked off the power invoice of each family within the nation.
The Chancellor stated the simplest strategy to get the money to these most in want was to make the assistance common.
However in Holyrood on Wednesday, Scottish Labour MSP Mark Griffin stated it wanted to be targetted.
Mr Griffin stated: “We regularly discuss somebody having to decide on between heating and consuming, however really, the fact is that hundreds will select between ravenous or freezing.
“Folks will die this winter. That’s a disaster that can solely worsen, so the Authorities should reply with motion.
“The irony received’t be misplaced on anybody, then, that these finest off, these in a position to run not one, however two properties, are set to pocket a windfall of just about £10 million between them, just because they’ve one other house that’s not their foremost residence.”
He advised a number of funds would solely “reward” individuals on larger incomes.
Mr Arthur confirmed the Scottish Authorities will take a look at what motion they might take. He advised MSPs they had been working with Cosla to discover choices for recovering the cash and the way finest to make use of it.
The SNP minister stated: “On this cost-of-living disaster, it’s vital sources are directed at those that want it most, so it’s clearly improper that second house house owners or those that personal long-term empty properties profit from a second £400 power rebate.
“The Scottish Authorities will work with Cosla and native authorities to look at easy methods to get well this cash, together with by means of a council tax levy.
“We can even work with them to look at easy methods to use the funds raised to help native cost-of-living responses on a good and equitable foundation throughout Scotland.
“By the price range for 2022/23, the Scottish Authorities has allotted nearly £3 billion to a variety of help that can contribute to mitigating the influence of the elevated price of dwelling on households.
“This consists of work to sort out youngster poverty, scale back inequalities and help monetary wellbeing, alongside social safety funds not obtainable anyplace else within the UK.”
