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Help for fuel poor
22/05/2008
Key players representing Scottish energy firms, consumer and environmental groups are coming together to advise the Government on tackling fuel poverty, MSPs were told today.
The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum, chaired by Rev Graham Blount, will be asked to develop proposals for the reform of fuel poverty programmes within existing budgets.
Health and Wellbeing Secretary Nicola Sturgeon also announced the publication of the Scottish Government's Review of Fuel Poverty.
The review highlights that the latest figures show that current fuel poverty programmes are not helping 543,000 Scottish households - nearly one million people - classed as fuel poor.
The review also indicated that "more than half the household group primarily benefiting from public expenditure on fuel poverty programmes are not actually fuel poor"
Meanwhile, energy supply companies are to provide an additional £1.5 million to fuel poverty programmes over the coming year through the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT).
Ms Sturgeon said:
"Too much of the money invested in the central heating programme doesn't help the fuel poor. That's why we need to overhaul the current programme to ensure it helps those in most need.
"The evidence from the review suggests that the central heating programme is not tackling fuel poverty as effectively as it could be, and makes clear that, currently, many of those eligible for central heating are not fuel poor.
"I therefore want the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum to advise me on how to refocus the policy and better use the resources available, to achieve the target of eradicating fuel poverty.
"The Minister for Communities and Sport will also chair a new group - the Scottish CERT Strategy Steering Group - bringing together key players from energy companies to help boost energy efficiency investment.
"We want to ensure that the Government is facilitating and complementing the action that energy companies are taking to meet their obligations, including reaching the fuel poor.
Kaliani Lyle, CEO of Citizens Advice Scotland said:
"Fuel poverty is a growing problem and we are grateful that the Scottish Government has listened to concerns and will benefit from the broad range of expertise that is available.
"We particularly welcome the decision to give the forum an independent chair - this is both new and necessary.
"On it's own, a reinvigorated forum is insufficient, but as part of a range of new measures to tackle fuel poverty it is indispensable."
Norman Kerr, Director of fuel poverty charity Energy Action Scotland said:
"We welcome this move by the Scottish Government to engage key stakeholders in the discussions on how to eradicate fuel poverty. The reforming of the Fuel Poverty Forum is a major step in that process.
"Energy Action Scotland is also delighted that the Reverend Graham Blount has been appointed as the Fuel Poverty Forum's independent chair.
"Graham Blount is widely recognised as having great insight into poverty issues. Energy Action Scotland looks forward to working with him and other members of the Forum for the benefit of all fuel poor households in Scotland."
Members of Fuel Poverty Forum:
- Age Concern
- Citizens Advice Scotland
- Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
- Energy Action Scotland
- Energy Saving Trust
- Energywatch
- Friends of the Earth
- Help the Aged
- Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) officers Network
- Ofgem
- Poverty Alliance
- Scottish and Southern Energy
- Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
- Scottish Gas
- Scottish Power
- Shelter
Rev Blount is Chair of Citizens Advice Scotland and Secretary of the Cross Party Parliamentary Group on Tackling Debt. The group will meet for the first time at the end of May and is required to report to Ministers by the end of the summer.
The Carbon Emissions Reductions Target (CERT) is the main programme for domestic energy efficiency, aiming to deliver £2.8 billion of investment in measures over the next 3 years across Great Britain.CERT places an obligation on energy supply companies to achieve targets for assisting households to take up energy efficient measures such as subsidised cavity wall and loft insulation.