Energy News

Scots living in fuel poverty get £60million scheme

Thursday 2 April, 2009

By becca.talbot@consumerchoices.co.uk

A new £60million energy efficiency scheme to help the fuel poor has been launched in Scotland. The scheme will help them find their cheapest energy tariff and install insulation where needed.

The new government-funded Energy Assistance Package has been designed to better target pensioners and families on low incomes in Scotland.

The £60million programme is designed to help homeowners find cheaper energy prices to make sure they are on the right tariff, as well as ensuring that they claim any benefits they are entitled to.

The scheme will also provide insulation for many homeowners, according to the Scottish National Party (SNP).

“The new Energy Assistance Package delivers the right kind of support to those who need it and will make sure those facing fuel poverty have access to the benefits, tariffs and help with the installation of central heating or insulation where it is needed,” said a spokesman for the SNP.

Families with young children under the age of five or with a disability under the age of 16, as well as pensioners living in fuel poverty, will be among those to benefit from the Energy Assistance Package.

SNP MSP John Wilson welcomed the new scheme and called on energy suppliers to cut prices: “The new package delivers the right kind of support to those who need it and will make sure those facing fuel poverty have access to the benefits, tariffs and help with the installation of central heating or insulation where it is needed.”

He added: “Energy company’s contributions to tackling fuel poverty are welcome but they could go further. Energy prices increased by 40% in the last year but are only falling by 4%.”

There are more than five million households in Britain that are thought to be living in fuel poverty, according to charity National Energy Action.

From April 2009 the Energy Assistance Package will replace the Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes. A network of Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centres (ESSACs) throughout Scotland will help deliver the scheme, which acts as a one-stop shop for assistance with reducing fuel poverty.

Anyone in Scotland struggling with gas and electricity bills should call an ESSAC from April 6 to see if they can benefit from elements of the scheme.

Chris Eagle, commercial manager at EnergyChoices.co.uk said: “This new scheme will really help those living in fuel poverty, especially those in some of the remotest and coldest parts of Scotland.”

Eagle advises: “The easiest way to keep costs down is to switch to another supplier, however it’s important to know when to switch. There are ways that you can reduce your energy bills without switching suppliers though, such as making your home more energy-efficient.”

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