To eat or heat - that’s fuel poverty choice
Shocking new statistics have revealed over 100,000 North Lanarkshire residents live in fuel poverty.
Fuel poverty is recognised as being caused by poor energy efficiency of homes, low incomes and high energy prices. The results are people having to ration the time they have their heating and hot water on and also in making choices between essentials such as buying food or paying for fuel bills.
The figures, published by the Scottish Government based on their Scottish House Condition Survey, show that from 2013 to 2015, 31 per cent of those living in North Lanarkshire were living in fuel poverty compared to 26 per cent in neighbouring South Lanarkshire.
According to the council’s 2015 mid-year population estimates there were over 338,000 people living in the local authority area meaning approximately 104,000 residents were living in fuel poverty.
Of the 32 local authorities across Scotland, six of them were found to have increased levels of fuel poverty.
Overall in Scotland for the same period 2013 to 2015, the average level of fuel poverty was down by one per cent to 34 per cent.
Norman Kerr, director of the national fuel poverty charity Energy Action Scotland said:“The figures now published show a patchwork of progress across the country. The majority of local authorities are moving levels of fuel poverty in the right direction.
“However, others have more work to do to overcome difficult conditions such as helping rural properties that are off the gas grid.
“Without the work being done by local authorities to tackle fuel poverty, the level of the problem would undoubtedly be much worse.
“The new figures highlight progress can be made but more resources are needed, particularly where local conditions are tougher to deal with.
“When the Scottish Government reviews its fuel poverty strategy later this year, it is essential the important role local authorities play in tackling fuel poverty has a central place in it and that they are well-resourced for the task.”