A campaigning councillor is calling for the UK Government to reintroduce the Energy Bill Support Scheme to help cash-strapped residents.
Robert Innes, who represents Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, believes the £400 payment should be brought back to support struggling households this winter.
The elected member tabled a motion that was passed at the latest council meeting, asking bosses to write to the UK Government to urge them to reintroduce the Energy Bill Support Scheme.
Mr Innes told The Gazette: "I brought this motion to council as it's really important that as many voices get behind this as possible.
"The UK Government are leaving people to freeze this winter.
"Fuel bills have almost doubled since 2021 and the least this sorry excuse of a UK Government could do at this time is provide this support for people."
Councillor Innes said he was concerned that without the £400, the average monthly cost of energy between October and December will be £160 compared to £141 between October 2022 and March this year.
He added: "Renfrewshire has suffered through a decade of Tory austerity and is now crippled by their self-made cost of living crisis.
"People cannot afford these energy bills, they cannot afford food as Brexit and inflation keeps our food prices going through the roof and the reality is that choosing between heating and eating is becoming more and more commonplace. It's disgraceful, nobody should have to make that choice.
"I echo the calls of Energy Action Scotland and multiple anti-fuel poverty organisations in calling for the Energy Bill Support Scheme to be reinstated as a matter of urgency.
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"It is a disgrace that an energy-rich nation like Scotland doesn't have the power to help those struggling to meet the excessive energy bills."
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: "We recognise the cost-of-living challenges families are facing and spent £40billion paying around half a typical household’s energy bill last winter.
"Energy prices are falling and our Energy Price Guarantee remains in place to protect people until April next year.
"We are also providing additional targeted support for the most vulnerable, with three million households expected to benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount and millions of vulnerable households will receive up to £900 in further Cost of Living Payments.
"We continue to keep all options under review for those most in need."
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