4. I think that it is a song, minister.

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement by the local government empowerment minister in July, whether it will provide an update on what discussions he has had regarding the roll-out of the islands cost crisis emergency fund. (S6O-02467)

I was delighted to announce the launch of the £1 million islands cost crisis emergency fund on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands during my visit to Shetland this summer. Shetland Islands Council immediately welcomed the announcement and commended the greater flexibility that it provided to support business as well as communities. It was also welcomed in other island communities, including Alasdair Allan’s and the Deputy Presiding Officer’s.

The current cost of living crisis and its effect on our island communities continues to be a key priority for the Scottish Government and it will be discussed in further detail at the upcoming islands strategic group in October.

That welcome additional support for island communities in the cost of living crisis recognises the higher costs, including energy bills, that islanders incur. What is the minister’s view on the United Kingdom Government’s decision to scrap the energy bill support scheme from last winter, which means that many of my constituents’ bills will be even higher than they were?

The October energy price cap, coupled with the UK Government’s scrapping of the energy bill support scheme, will mean that average households will pay more this winter. That will negatively impact people and businesses on Scotland’s islands, who already face far higher costs than the average household. That is why the UK Government should not have ended the energy bill support scheme.

Despite Scottish ministers’ repeated calls for the chancellor to extend the scheme, he has failed to do so, which leaves our island communities exposed to higher energy bills. I take the opportunity once again to call on the UK Government to provide the support that people and businesses across all Scotland will need this winter.