Fuel Poverty Strategy
The accepted definition of fuel poverty is that “a household is in fuel poverty if it spends more than 10% of its income on fuel in order to reach an acceptable level of warmth”. This is the definition as set out by the Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement 2002, and which is accepted within the draft East Renfrewshire Fuel Poverty Strategy 2004.
It’s estimated that one in three households across the country is affected by fuel poverty. The main causes of fuel poverty are income, the cost of fuel and poor energy efficiency of the home. Definitions widely accepted by Energy Saving Trust and the Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre are that a fourth factor is also important in assessing fuel poverty – namely whether a property is under-occupied. Lifestyle issues and occupants’ health and well being are also contributing factors.
East Renfrewshire Council has shown a commitment to increase energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty by making ongoing improvements to its own housing stock, which includes double-glazing council houses, installing loft and tank insulation and fitting improved central heating. Improvements are also required in the private sector, and in addition to the work currently carried out in providing grants to homeowners for certain improvements and the provision of advice, links will be made with the newly appointed Private Sector Housing Team to target assistance effectively to those living in the private sector.
The findings of the Private Sector House Condition Survey 2005 indicate that in the private sector alone approximately 2000 households in East Renfrewshire are in fuel poverty. Although energy efficiency performance in East Renfrewshire is higher than the Scottish average there is still scope for improvement.
To tackle the issue of fuel poverty in all households the Council is committed to working alongside housing, health and social care, as well as the private, voluntary and public sectors, as demonstrated by the inclusion of a diverse range of stakeholders on the East Renfrewshire Fuel Poverty Working Group (ERFPWG).
Fuel Poverty Strategy (PDF 296.8kb)
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