Day: February 3, 2025

Independent Age reacts to Scottish Housing Conditions survey

Reacting to the 2023 Scottish House Condition Survey results, Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said:  
“The latest statistics released today show that 317,000 older households (37%) were in fuel poverty in Scotland in 2023, with 1 in 4 older households (25%) living in extreme fuel poverty. This is extremely concerning and shows a step change will be required to meet Scotland’s fuel poverty targets.  

“As well as this, almost half (49%) of people in later life live in homes with an EPC rating of band D or below. Cold homes are hazardous to health, especially for older people. Every day, our helpline hears from people in later life who are wearing a coat indoors, washing less and skipping meals. In a socially just and wealthy nation no older person should be in fuel poverty.  

“While it is welcome that the Scottish Government is working with energy companies to encourage them to put in place social tariffs for financially vulnerable customers, there is more that can be done.  

“We’re calling on the Scottish Government to urgently create a strategy to tackle pensioner poverty.  With 317,000 older households in fuel poverty, this can’t come soon enough. Today’s figures underscore the need for strategic action to lower bills by improving energy efficiency support and making sure the energy social security older people can access is sufficient.”  

Fuel poverty targets were introduced in Scotland through the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019.

Interim targets for 2030 state: 

a) no more than 15% of households in Scotland are in fuel poverty,

(b)no more than 5% of households in Scotland are in extreme fuel poverty.

Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings – gov.scot 

North East Scotland leading the way on energy transition

Scotland Office Minister’s visit to focus on clean energy

  • Recently launched Skills Passport allowing workers more flexibility to move between sectors 
  • North East companies shining example of clean energy initiatives and economic growth

Scotland’s clean energy future will be top of the agenda as Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill visits Aberdeenshire and Angus today (Mon) to meet with companies at the cutting edge of the green revolution. 

Minister McNeill will meet with the iconic Scottish brand, Mackie’s, who have invested in sustainable energy through wind turbines, solar panels and biomass projects at their base in Rothienorman, outside Inverurie. 

As part of the UK Government’s commitment to a clean energy future for the North East, the Minister will also visit 3t Training Services in Dyce who are helping to provide training to energy workers looking to transfer their skills and experience in oil and gas into renewables. 

Ahead of her visit, Ms McNeill said: “The UK Government is committed to a clean energy future that helps economic growth and creates skilled jobs. We are already seeing fantastic examples of businesses in the North East who are leading the way and showing that cutting their emissions while continuing to grow go hand in hand. 

“This is an exciting time for the region. With GB Energy being headquartered in Aberdeen, the north east is vital to our clean energy plans. 

“As part of our Plan for Change, the UK Government, alongside the Scottish Government and industry, are working to remove the red tape for our skilled oil and gas workers who are looking to work in clean energy. These people have incredible skills and experience that should be utilised and we are ensuring they are supported through this transition. I’m looking forward to meeting with some of them as well as those helping to train them.” 

Jamie Purves, General Manager at 3t’s Dyce training centre, emphasised the importance of upskilling and industry collaboration in ensuring a smooth energy transition. He said: “The North East has long been a centre of excellence in energy, and we are committed to making sure its workforce continues to thrive as the sector evolves.

“At 3t, we work closely with industry and Government to provide the specialist training and support needed to help energy professionals move seamlessly into renewables. 

“The Skills Passport is a game-changer. It simplifies the transition process and ensures we retain the invaluable expertise developed in oil and gas. This is about securing a sustainable future while creating new opportunities for workers and businesses alike.”

Working alongside the industry and Scottish Government, the UK Government has recently launched the Skills Passport initiative as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change and clean energy superpower mission. 

Oil and gas workers will be able to access the skills passport online, which will initially help them identify routes into several roles in offshore wind, including construction and maintenance  – before being expanded over the coming year to recognise other pathways from oil and gas into the renewable sector.

This is in addition to Aberdeen being identified as one of four key growth regions in the UK for clean energy. Work is ongoing to identify the skills support needed in their area to deliver clean power by 2030. 

The minister will also meet with Montrose Port, a recent recipient of the Carbon Reduction Award at the Scottish Green Energy awards. The port, which helps service windfarms including Scotland’s largest – SSE’s Seagreen – is currently going through an expansion as demand for renewable projects increases.