Calls To End Fuel Poverty

A coalition of bodies say energy efficiency policies must top the agenda at Holyrood in 2015.

WWF Scotland, the Royal College of Nursing, and Exisiting Homes Alliance want MSPs to increase spending on making homes more energy-efficient.

It's after the issue became one of the major talking points of the campaigns for independence and next year's general election.

40 percent of households across Scotland are facing fuel poverty.

WWF Scotland’s Head of Policy, Dr Sam Gardner, said: 

“We know helping households become more energy efficient is a win-win, cutting carbon emissions and delivering cheaper fuel bills, alongside the clear benefits that come from ending fuel poverty in Scotland.

“The funding decisions taken in 2015 are crucial if we’re to deliver these benefits.  That’s why we’re calling for investment levels in the forthcoming budget to ensure the social, environmental and economic benefits of energy efficient homes.”  

Royal College of Nursing Scotland Director, Theresa Fyffe, said Nurses are on the frontline of patient care and 2know only too well the real health problems linked to fuel poverty." 

She said: "Children and the elderly are particularly at risk and every year we see up to 2,000 excess winter deaths in Scotland alone. We need to see greater investment in making our housing stock more energy efficient, therefore reducing illnesses related to damp, cold homes.”

Alan Ferguson, Chair of The Existing Homes Alliance, a coalition of housing, energy saving and consumer advice organisations, said people - including those in employment - having to 'choose between heating and eating'.

He said: "As numbers using food banks continue to rise, we’re also hearing from those who can’t even cook what they receive from the food bank  because they can’t afford the electricity. While these examples seem extreme, they are sadly increasingly common. 

“While schemes like the Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland are making progress, we agree that a more concerted effort, joined up across government departments, and with more funding, must be made if we’re serious about ending fuel poverty and bringing bills and emissions down.”

The Scottish Government is committed to eradicating fuel poverty by November 2016, and to reducing Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2020.

Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, Sarah Boyack MSP, said:
 
"The Scottish Government has failed to meet its climate targets for three years in a row and we have a fuel poverty crisis where many people in Scotland have to choose between heating and eating.
 
"If we are to meet our climate promises and tackle the scourge of fuel poverty we need concerted action. The new powers coming from Smith Agreement give us the chance to target action to meet Scottish circumstances.
 
"Labour's commitment to freeze energy bills would bring much needed relief to people struggling to meet rising bills, but above all we need the Scottish Government to use its full range of powers to make our housing fit for purpose."