Scottish House Condition Survey
Progress towards the target to eradicate fuel poverty as far as is reasonably practicable by 2016 is monitored through the Scottish House Condition Survey. This survey has been conducted in 1996, 2002 and annually since then.
Households in Fuel Poverty 1996-2007 (% and Confidence Intervals)
The large reduction in fuel poverty between 1996 and 2002 was a result of increasing income levels and falling fuel prices. The upward trend in energy costs from 2003 onward has seen many households pushed back into fuel poverty.
The most up-to-date data is available in the SHCS Key Findings Report 2007.
More information on trends and risk factors for fuel poverty can be found on the SHCS website and particularly in the 2004 report Fuel Poverty in Scotland.
Review of 2002 Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement
The Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement published in 2002 has, by statute, to be reviewed every four years. The review of the statement published in November 2006 outlines progress made towards the targets and outcomes described in that statement.
Scottish Government Review of Fuel Poverty May 2008
A Review of Fuel Poverty and progress towards the 2016 target was published on 22 May 2008. It concluded that the Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes needed reform and highlighted how under the current devolution settlement the Scottish Government has direct control over only one of the key factors determining fuel poverty, that is energy efficiency of the home.
The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum was re-established in May 2008 to advise on the future of fuel poverty policy in Scotland. It produced its report in October 2008, the main recommendation of which was to replace the Warm Deal and Central Heating Programmes with a new Energy Assistance Package.
Last Updated 30 March 2009