“We want to see more households living in well insulated warm homes; accessing affordable, low carbon energy; and having an increased understanding of how to best use energy efficiency in their homes” – Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities.
In its ambition to eradicate fuel poverty, the Scottish Government is bringing forward a new Fuel Poverty Strategy and a Warm Homes Bill.
People in island and rural communities are living with the highest levels of fuel poverty and acute fuel poverty in Scotland and the opportunity to contribute an island perspective to the consultation was very welcome.
However, while we were pleased to see a recognition within the consultation of the distinct and additional challenges for island communities, we were disappointed that this did not translate into proposals for distinct and tailored action on the ground or embrace the enormous opportunity islands hold for sustainable energy. In fact we are concerned that the proposal as it stands may have an unintended detrimental impact on island and rural communities.
You can read our submission to the consultation here.