Pensioners worried about waiting until March for the Government's cold weather payments can take advantage of measures announced today by ScottishPower to help delay the cost of winter heating.

Elderly ScottishPower customers who use pre-payment meters can receive from today powercards to the value of the cold weather payment to which they are entitled -- £20 or £50. The customer will be asked to make up the difference on receipt of the payment in March. If this proves impossible, the fixed charge setting on the meter can be adjusted for phased repayment.

For quarterly bill customers, ScottishPower will accept settlement minus the £20 or £50 entitlement which, similarly, should be repaid on receipt of the Government's payment.

The move was welcomed by Energy Action Scotland. "We are delighted that ScottishPower has introduced this initiative to help many pensioners waiting for the special cold weather payments," EAS Director Ann Loughrey said.

"We are pleased that ScottishPower's customers will benefit by keeping warm during the winter months," she added.

Hammy Smillie, ScottishPower's Business and Community Relations Manager, said pensioners wanting to take advantage of the scheme or having any difficulty with their electricity bills should contact the ScottishPower customer helpline on 0845-2727111.

"As winter begins to bite, I can categorically assure all our elderly customers that no pensioner will have his or her electricity supply disconnected because of payment problems," he said.

Further Information:
Colin McSeveny,     ScottishPower Press Office          0141 248 8200
Gordon Laidlaw,     ScottishPower Press Office          0141 248 8200