Fuel poverty on the increase

More than one in three Stirling residents are having trouble heating their own homes according to new statistics.

Figures released by the Scottish Government show that 34 per cent of residents in the area are deemed to be “fuel poor”.

Fuel poverty is said to apply to households where more than 10 per cent of the income is spent on utilities.

The Stirling figure is better than the national average of 34.9 per cent although worse than the 32 per cent in neighbouring Clackmannanshire.

The numbers also showed that, in Stirling from 2015 to 2016, the percentage of households with electricity arrears has increased from 13.3 to 15.6 and gas arrears from 6.5 to 7.1.

However, in Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, households with electricity arrears decreased from 12.3 to 10.8 per cent while gas arrears increased from 11.6 to 14.3 per cent.

In light of the information, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has urged the Scottish Government to invest heavily in improving energy efficiency in homes across the country.

He says his party, the Scottish Conservatives, have called for investment to ensure all homes meet the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) C rating or above by the next decade – a call supported by a Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group report.

He said: “These figures are really concerning, particularly because they show that more and more people are struggling to pay their heating bills.

“Having a warm home during the winter shouldn’t be a luxury, yet many people across the region are struggling to heat their homes properly.

“The Scottish Government’s current strategies are failing and that is why we need transformational change. Ensuring that older homes are retrofitted for energy efficiency is important as the last thing we need is expensive heat escaping through windows and doors.

“That is why we are calling for the Scottish Government to prioritise making Scottish homes more energy efficient. Setting a target to get all homes up to adequate standards, backed up with significant investment, is needed to reduce the number of people struggling with their gas and electricity bills.”

Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford claims that steps are already being taken by the government to tackle the issue and improve energy efficiency across the country.

He said: “The Scottish Government has made tackling fuel poverty a priority. They have recently committed £335,000 which has been allocated to Stirling Constituency to help tackle fuel poverty and ensure that some of the most vulnerable households are able to heat their homes.

“The Scottish Government, who is giving more help to people to combat fuel poverty than other UK Governments, is dedicating half a billion pounds to tackle fuel poverty and to improve energy efficiency across Scotland, which will make it easier and cheaper for tenants to heat their homes.

“It is vital that we continue this action and target it in a way that makes a difference to those who need it most.”