A major new Consumer Focus Scotland report, Turning up the Heat, Benchmarking Fuel Poverty in Scotland, says that a step change is needed now at Scottish and UK level if targets to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016 have any chance of being achieved.
Scottish Government figures estimate that the number of Scottish households living in fuel poverty has now risen to 26.5% and that this is likely to continue to rise as the impact of the recession bites further. Scotland has a higher rate of fuel poverty than England and Wales and the poor energy performance of our housing stock is a major factor in this.
The consumer champion’s report reveals that differences in the way each nation measures fuel poverty add complexity to how decisions are made about where resources should be targeted. The largest single source of funding for energy efficiency is the Carbon Emissions Reductions Target (CERT) which is distributed at GB level.
Consumer Focus Scotland believes that inconsistency in the measurement of fuel poverty levels across each nation means that these resources may not be geared towards those who need it most in Scotland. The report also compared government policy responses to fuel poverty, which vary between the UK nations. It found that the Scottish approach has significant strengths but that much more could be done by better joined up working.
There are tensions between the twin government aims of reducing climate change emissions and addressing fuel poverty. And despite the devastating impact of fuel poverty on health there is insufficient evidence of linkages between health strategies and fuel poverty strategies at the point of delivery.
The report also argues that we must do much more to address the poor energy performance of our housing stock if we are to cushion the poorest consumers against the rising costs of energy in the future. Scotland needs to be able to measure up to the standards set by Scandinavian countries where long term investment has meant that houses are warmer and fuel poverty is a thing of the past.
Consumer Focus Scotland is calling for:
• Fuel poverty to be embedded as a strategic cross-cutting policy priority across Scottish Government departments, particularly health, housing and climate change.
• A consistent approach to the measurement of fuel poverty in all UK nations.
• An expansion of area-based approaches to delivering energy efficiency, designed in ways which seek to maximise benefits in terms of both fuel poverty and climate change so that Scotland is better equipped to take advantage of UK funding streams.
• Changes to local authority outcome indicators to more clearly reflect and drive work on fuel poverty in their areas.
• Accelerated improvements in the standards of energy efficiency in the construction and refurbishment of homes in Scotland.
Trisha McAuley, Consumer Focus Scotland’s representative on the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum, said:
“Scotland has led the way in the UK, with the Energy Assistance Package, in seeking to target holistic support on energy advice, income maximisation and practical help to those who need it the most. However, fuel poverty continues to rise and with it the need for fresh thinking and radical action at both Scottish and UK level.
“The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum, in its Annual Report, has called for the Scottish Government to set out a road map for reaching the 2016 target to eradicate fuel poverty. This report is Consumer Focus Scotland’s contribution to defining the way ahead. Fuel poverty has a profound effect on personal health, social and economic wellbeing and life chances. We need to do all we can to put a stop to its rising impact on Scottish families.”
Ends
Notes to editors
1. The Scottish Government’s agreed definition of fuel poverty is that: A household is in fuel poverty if in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10% of its income (including Housing Benefit or Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all household fuel use.
2. The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum published its Annual Report on 16th July 2010. It can be downloaded at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/FP/FPFFirstAnnualReport
3. Consumer Focus Scotland is rooted in over 30 years of work promoting the interests of consumers, particularly those who experience disadvantage in society. We work for consumers in all aspects of their lives: as tenants, householders, patients, parents, solicitors’ clients, postal service users, energy consumers and shoppers.
4. The report can be downloaded by clicking here.
Media contact
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Ryan Norton, Communications Manager on 0141 227 1852 or ryan.norton@consumerfocus.org.uk