Written Question · S4W-29615 · Session 4
In light of the figures in the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 showing an increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty in re…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the figures in the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 showing an increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty in remote, rural and island areas compared with urban areas, what (a) steps it has taken and (b) plans it has to tackle fuel poverty (i) in Orkney, (ii) in the Highlands and Islands and (iii) across the country.
The answer
The results from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 are based on three years of data and are not designed to measure year-on-year change. Due to the small sample size in the Scottish House Condition Survey, the local authority results do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14. Nationally, fuel poverty in rural areas went from 53% in 2013 to 50% in 2014.
As part of the half a billion pounds we have allocated since 2009, we have invested almost £180 million over the last three years through our Area Based Schemes, delivering energy efficiency improvements from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway. The £50 million allocated to Area Based Schemes in 2016-17 is still double the funding of that of its predecessor Universal Home Insulation Scheme in 2012-13 and £50 million more than the UK Government invests in area based schemes in England.
Next year we are making available over £103 million to tackle fuel poverty and energy efficiency, which is a significant commitment in light of on-going spending pressures and UK Government cuts. It will support the installation of measures in some 14,000 homes and also support the development of Scotland’s energy efficiency programme.
We are also listening to stakeholders as we develop our approach on tackling fuel poverty. We have set up the short term Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group to work alongside the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum and the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force to build on our efforts to date and drive forward the fuel poverty agenda. The strategic working group and Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force will report on their findings later in 2016.
As part of the half a billion pounds we have allocated since 2009, we have invested almost £180 million over the last three years through our Area Based Schemes, delivering energy efficiency improvements from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway. The £50 million allocated to Area Based Schemes in 2016-17 is still double the funding of that of its predecessor Universal Home Insulation Scheme in 2012-13 and £50 million more than the UK Government invests in area based schemes in England.
Next year we are making available over £103 million to tackle fuel poverty and energy efficiency, which is a significant commitment in light of on-going spending pressures and UK Government cuts. It will support the installation of measures in some 14,000 homes and also support the development of Scotland’s energy efficiency programme.
We are also listening to stakeholders as we develop our approach on tackling fuel poverty. We have set up the short term Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group to work alongside the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum and the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force to build on our efforts to date and drive forward the fuel poverty agenda. The strategic working group and Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force will report on their findings later in 2016.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-29615 by reference.