You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Scottish fuel poverty crisis revealed as housing association trade body urges action
A trade body is calling for urgent government action after a survey found a rising number of Scottish housing association tenants at risk of or experiencing fuel poverty.
Nearly three-quarters of housing associations responding to the study conducted by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) said they had noticed an increase in the number of tenants unable to afford to heat their own homes.
Sixty per cent of the 52 landlords surveyed also said they had seen a rise in the number of residents disconnecting their own power or heating due to fuel poverty.
The findings increase the pressure on the Scottish government ahead of the third stage reading of the Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament. Among the bill’s measures is the introduction of a target relating to the eradication of fuel poverty.
READ MORE
A Fife and Central Scotland-based housing association representative said: “This is something I see almost (on) a daily basis. It’s a simple choice between heating and eating for a lot of tenants.”
A staff member from an Argyll and Bute-based housing association added: “A number of tenants have stopped using heating because they can’t afford it… mostly it’s because they don’t want another bill to worry about, so they do without whenever possible.”
Sally Thomas, SFHA’s chief executive, said: “It is shocking how many people are struggling to afford to heat their homes. The UK government must take urgent action to raise social security in line with inflation to ensure no-one has to choose between heating or eating.”
Housing associations also reported a rise in the number of tenants in fuel debt, with 73% of those responding stating that levels had risen.
Ms Thomas added: “Social landlords are working hard to make homes more energy-efficient and reduce the cost of heating them for their tenants.
“However, in order to end fuel poverty, it is vital social landlords are eligible for grant assistance from the Scottish government.”
