Call For Action Over Cold Homes

A coalition of charities, housing organisations and unions are calling on the Scottish government to tackle cold homes.

The Existing Homes Alliance say doing so would cut energy bills, improve public health and reduce fuel poverty. They want every Scottish household to have an energy rating of C or higher - meaning every home would sit in one of the top 3 energy efficiency categories.

Alan Ferguson, Chair of the Existing Homes Alliance said:
 
"It was great to see the Scottish Government’s commitment to make energy efficiency a National Infrastructure Priority.  This is vital if we as a nation are to end fuel poverty blighting our homes and step up to the challenge of climate change.  

"However, we now need to see concrete proposals and clear goals from the Scottish Government to make this happen. These should include a goal of helping all homes reach a C energy performance standard by 2025, and a commitment to major long-term funding to support investment in energy efficiency."

Government ministers say tackling these issues is a key priority for them. Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said: "Since 2009 we have invested over half a billion pounds in fuel poverty and energy efficiency measures, and this year we have allocated a record budget of £119 million.

"The breadth of support shown in the Joint Statement is a great endorsement of the decision by Scottish Ministers in June to designate energy efficiency as a National Infrastructure Priority. We will develop a programme to deliver this over the next two years, including the planned devolution of new powers under the Scotland Bill, and look forward to working with the Existing Homes Alliance, its members and other stakeholders.

"While the details of the programme are still to be developed, it will provide support for buildings across all of Scotland and coordinate actions on both energy efficiency and heat for homes, commercial and public buildings."