The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum was set up in 2002 from the membership of what had previously been the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group. It contributed to carrying out the work outlined in the 2002 Fuel Poverty Statement. It was re-established in May 2008 under an independent chairperson, the Rev Graham Blount. Its task was to consider the findings of the Scottish Government's Review of Fuel Poverty and any other evidence required and report to Ministers on options for re-focusing the policy and funding to better achieve the target of eradicating fuel poverty.
The Forum considered a range of evidence as part of its deliberations and published its report and recommendations in October 2008.
Following publication of its report, and Ministers' decision to implement its main recommendation of replacing the Warm Deal and Central Heating Programme with a new Energy Assistance Package, the Forum's remit is now to work together to ensure that so far as is reasonably practicable, no-one is living in fuel poverty by 2016. Specifically it will:
- monitor the implementation of the Energy Assistance Package;
- advise Ministers on further actions required; and
- liaise with the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group for England to develop an appropriate link that will ensure Scottish interests are fed into reserved policy areas.
Membership of the forum includes representatives from:
- Age Concern Scotland
- Association for the Conservation of Energy
- Children's fuel Poverty Coalition
- Citizens Advice Scotland
- Consumer Focus Scotland
- Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
- Energy Action Scotland
- Energy Saving Trust in Scotland
- Friends of the Earth Scotland
- Help the Aged
- National Health Service ( new member to be invited)
- Ofgem ( as observers)
- Poverty Alliance
- Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
- Scottish and Southern Energy
- Scottish Gas
- HECA Officers Network
- Scottish Power
- Shelter