Fuel poverty redefined by new bill

No more than 5 per cent of households in Scotland should be living in fuel poverty by 2040, under a new target set out in a new bill introduced to Holyrood.

The new definition of Fuel Poverty, means a household is classed as fuel poor if its required fuel costs are more than 10 per cent of the household’s income after housing costs are paid, and if that means the remaining income is insufficient to maintain an acceptable standard of living.

Craig Salter, energy spokesman for Citizens Advice Scotland, welcomed the bill, but said that there should be an enhanced “minimum income standard” for people in remote rural areas, who often find it harder to afford their energy bills due to higher living costs.

Mr Salter said: “The Fuel Poverty Bill is a step in the right direction.”