People are being asked to give their views on a new long-term strategy to tackle fuel poverty. The consultation will run until 1 February 2018 and will seek opinions on, among other things, ambitious targets for fuel poverty reduction – with a revised definition recommended by an independent, expert review – and the timescales for meeting them. Continue reading Have your say on Fuel Poverty plans
Continue reading Edinburgh householders demand fairer and more transparent energy bills
A pilot will see 220 rural households offered targeted support to cut their energy bills – while an independent review of how fuel poverty is defined is to take place.
Communities, Social Security, and Equalities Secretary Angela Constance set out the developments as she responded to the recommendations of the Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force.
Ms Constance said both the pilot and the review will inform the consultation on a new fuel poverty strategy and target – which will be published later this year.
Advisers from Home Energy Scotland (HES) will visit selected homes in rural areas to see what more can be done to reduce their fuel bills. The £300,000 12-month Homecare pilot will be evaluated before a decision is taken on rolling it out to households nationwide.
Meanwhile, an independent panel of four academic experts has been established to consider changes to how fuel poverty is defined. This follows the working group conclusions that the current definition may be impeding efforts to target those most in need.
Making the announcement during a visit in Edinburgh to the home of Donnah Anderson –the 100,000thproperty to benefit under the Home Energy Efficiency Programme since 2013 – Ms Constance said:
“We have made good progress and significant investment in tackling fuel poverty, supporting people who need help, like Donnah and her family. However, there are still far too many people struggling with unaffordable energy costs. That is why we’re developing a new long-term strategy to tackle fuel poverty and will introduce a Warm Homes Bill to set a new target.
“The HES pilot is about providing tailored support to people in the greatest need – helping them lower their fuel bills and hopefully move out of fuel poverty altogether.
“I’m also pleased to announce a review of the definition of fuel poverty, which will look at whether changes are needed to help us better target our efforts to eradicate fuel poverty in the forthcoming Warm Homes Bill.”
Donnah Anderson lives in Duddingston with her husband and two children. She received help under the Home Energy Efficiency Programme, including a gas connection, boiler installation and radiators in place of broken electric heaters and a faulty hot water tank.
She said: “I contacted Home Energy Scotland for advice about my heating but I had no idea that I would qualify for a new boiler and new radiators! I really can’t thank everyone enough for the lovely job that they have done. My son is thrilled to bits and I’m delighted the kids now have a bedroom that’s so warm.”
Changeworks has partnered with the University of Edinburgh to deliver IDEAL, a cutting edge research project exploring how smart technology can help save energy in the home. They are looking for Edinburgh households (EH1-EH17) with gas combi boiler heating to participate.
The benefits include:
· Gaining insight into your home energy use
· Receiving a free android tablet used to display energy use information
· Receiving tailored advice from University of Edinburgh experts
· Hopefully saving money on gas and electricity bills
For more information visit changeworks.org.uk/projects/ideal
To get involved email your name, address, and contact details to IDEAL@changeworks.org.uk, or call 0131 539 8610.
The Scottish Government has hosted an energy summit with representatives from the ‘Big Six’ energy companies looking at ways to help low income households living in fuel poverty. Continue reading Big Six summit addresses fuel poverty
The Greens will pressure the Scottish Government to include measures to eradicating fuel poverty in its forthcoming budget after statistics published yesterday revealed the scale of the problem. Continue reading Urgent action needed to tackle fuel poverty, say Greens
Green MSPs expressed disappointment last night after Holyrood’s other main parties voted against proposals to allocate more than the proposed £125 million per year to eradicate fuel poverty.
An amendment from Andy Wightman MSP, housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, aimed to strengthen Labour’s debate motion as it did not call for additional funding. However, SNP, Conservative and Labour MSPs voted it down.
Andy Wightman, housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “Fuel poverty is a national disgrace with over 800,000 households suffering. The Scottish Government did not meet its target to end fuel poverty by this month and there is broad agreement across the parties that action is needed.
“It was therefore sad to see SNP, Conservative and Labour members voting against the Green proposal to increase funding. When the draft Scottish budget is presented next month, it’s essential we see a firm commitment to increase funding. We need action, not more words.”
Andy Wightman’s amendment:
http://www.parliament.scot/
Over £9 million to improve energy efficiency
Homes and businesses across 11 local authority areas will be warmer and cheaper to heat thanks to over £9 million of Scottish Government funding. Edinburgh will receive over £1 million.
The Independent Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group has updated the Housing Minister on their interim findings – and informed the Minister that the fuel poverty target will not be met this year. The Scotttish Greens have urged the Housing Minister to ‘take the failure seriously’. Continue reading Fuel poverty target missed
Dear Editor
There can be very few households in the UK who are not worried by their gas and electricity bills. The advice usually given is to shop around for lower tariffs, but this is no permanent solution. The absolute necessity for everyone to afford adequate fuel supplies is overwhelming but it seems that a few major suppliers have a near monopoly on the industry – and have been making millions of pounds profit.
Just a few examples:
£139 million Scottish Gas, February 2015
£549 million SSE, November 2015
£528 million British Gas (first six months 2015)
£860 million EDF, February 2014
£1.5 BILLION Southern Electric, Jan 2014
And yet there are perhaps millions of people who cannot afford adequate heating!
By any measure, this situation cannot go on like this in the 21st Century. As an essential necessity energy supplies MUST become publicly-owned industries, working in the interests of everyone; profits made not for private individuals or groups of investors but used to reduce prices and to maintain efficient industries.
Energy supplies must be seen as important to the people of the UK as the NHS has proved to be. Maximum unity of working people is needed to press for these vital public services: it is up to us.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
