Dumfries and Galloway Council leader dismisses attempt to ask people to give £150 tax relief to struggling families

Council leader Elaine Murray has dismissed a bid by an energy giant to ask residents to give their £150 tax relief to struggling families.

Households are now receiving large increases in their electricity bills and the Scottish Government is forking out £150 council tax relief to people in bands A to D to help.

Energy supplier Utilita has now written to every local authority in the country asking them to urge residents to give that money to people in “fuel poverty” through various charities.