Robert Brown calls for end to Fuel Poverty

12.00.00am GMT Thu 20th Mar 2008

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has called on the Scottish Government to treat the issue of tackling Fuel Poverty seriously.

During a debate in the Scottish Parliament on a Liberal Democrat motion on Fuel Poverty, Mr. Brown called for a more integrated approach, using smart metering, the re-establishment of the Fuel Poverty Forum and uptake of microgeneration.

Mr. Brown also condemned the SNP Government for a real terms decrease in funding for the popular central heating installation scheme.

Mr. Brown also used the opportunity of the debate to highlight the debt difficulties those with pre payment meters can get into when energy prices rise, and the meters don't get recalibrated straight away.

Mr. Brown said:

"Over 600,000 households in Scotland are considered fuel poor. That is unacceptable, given particularly that power companies' profits have risen by 500%.

"Fuel poverty exists for a number of reasons, and we need a unified approach to tackle it.

"We need to take into account the full spectrum of the fuel poverty crisis; increasing prices, inefficient systems and mounting debts which can be built up by those using pre payment meters, all add to the problem.

"The re-establishment of the Fuel Poverty Forum, the installation of Smart Meters, and Government support for micro generation will all help.

"In the meantime though, the real term decrease in the budget for the central heating installation scheme and the increase in the waiting time for delivery doesn't help those in need.

"Fuel poverty is as much about access to efficient heating systems to save money as it is about just not having the money to pay the bill."

Ends

Notes for Editors

Scottish Parliament motion:

That the Parliament deplores the fact that while household fuel prices have risen by six times the rate of inflation over the past year, power companies' profits have risen by 500%; is concerned that, for every 5% increase in fuel prices, it is estimated that 40,000 more Scottish households become fuel poor, while almost 3,000 deaths per year are linked to living in cold, damp housing; believes that tackling the social, health and environmental impacts of fuel poverty can save people money, improve health and help to tackle climate change; calls for the re-establishment of the Fuel Poverty Forum with a remit to include the development of a one-stop-shop approach to fuel poverty that increases the installation of energy efficiency measures, efficient central heating systems, microgeneration and smart meter technology; recognises the importance of continued support for voluntary and statutory organisations providing debt management, money and energy advice to those most affected by fuel poverty; calls on the Scottish Government to consider the introduction of a local tax rebate to provide a further incentive to householders to invest in energy efficiency and microgeneration packages, and further calls for changes to planning rules to make it easier to install micropower.