A PLEA has been issued to help vulnerable residents who will struggle to heat their home this winter.

West of Scotland MSP Katy Clark wants Holyrood chiefs to introduce a £70 winter fuel supplement for those who are struggling to make ends meet, including people who qualify for Pension Credit or a reduction to their council tax bill.

The Labour politician said this will benefit almost 25,000 people across Renfrewshire and more than 7,000 in East Renfrewshire.

She added: “The Scottish Government has the power to ensure payments reflect the pressures on fuel poor households but it has delayed taking action so far.

“No-one should have to face a choice between heating and eating this winter. That’s why the Scottish Government must give ​people struggling with fuel poverty £70 now to help them through the winter months.

“In Renfrewshire, this would help up to 24,451 people and, in East Renfrewshire, it would help 7,138.

“The winter months are fast approaching and we have a cost of living crisis escalating by the day. There is no time to waste.”

The Winter Fuel Payment has been frozen since 2011, with campaign groups warning that rising energy prices will lead to preventable deaths.

This comes after the furlough scheme ended and the Universal Credit uplift was scrapped, prompting fears that many household budgets will be stretched to breaking point.

Ms Clark added: “We have a moral responsibility to lift people out of poverty. However, many more face falling below the poverty line as energy prices spiral out of control.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said it is already taking “a wide range of actions” within its powers to help people on low income.

He added: “As well as introducing the Scottish Child Payment, this month our £130 pandemic payment will reach everyone in receipt of council tax reduction.

“We also announced plans to extend Child Winter Heating Assistance to reach 5,000 additional families with severely disabled young people to help them with the costs of heating their homes.

“Our efforts are being undermined by the UK Government’s decision to remove more than £1,000 per year in Universal Credit payments from the lowest income households.

“Many of those who will lose out are unable to work due to ill health and disability and more than a third of Universal Credit recipients are already in work but relied on the payments to make ends meet.

“The UK Government should have reconsidered their unjustifiable decision and done more to protect the most vulnerable.”