Support needed to heat homes

MORE support is needed for the parts of Scotland hardest hit by fuel poverty, a charity says.

Energy Action Scotland demanded action after it was revealed that 24 per cent of Scots live in fuel poverty.

In the Western Isles that figure is 40 per cent, compared with 13 per cent in East Renfrewshire.

Fuel poverty is defined by the Scottish Government as any household spending more than 10 per cent of income on energy after housing costs are deducted.

Frazer Scott, chief executive of Energy Action Scotland, which compiled the figures, said there was a serious problem.

He said: “It is maybe not surprising to most people that the Western Isles is the most fuel poor part of the country given the inclement weather conditions, dependence on electric heating and low levels of energy efficiency, but the extent of the problem is alarming.

“Two in every five households cannot afford to heat their home is something that needs to be addressed urgently.”

The charity is calling for a VAT cut on energy bills. Scott added: “We estimate that as prices rocket over 100,000 more households will seriously struggle to heat their homes.

“We urgently need more government action to improve the energy efficiency of homes across the country, particularly targeted at households that suffer the greatest rates of fuel poverty.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have allocated over £1billion since 2009 to tackling fuel poverty and improving the energy efficiency of people’s homes. Investment of at least £1.8billion over five years is also under way.

“We recognise people will be concerned about rising energy bills this year and we are making £10million available through our Fuel Insecurity Fund.”