Scottish Liberal Democrat campaigner Cameron Stewart has today revealed that thousands of households in West Dunbartonshire are in fuel poverty, and set out plans to rapidly insulate homes, drive a rooftop solar revolution and overhaul community benefit rules so that local people finally get a proper share of the wealth from the renewables production on their doorstep.

The figures come from the most recent Scottish House Condition Survey, which provides data from 2024.

They show that 18000 are estimated to be fuel poor- this is 43% of homes.

The statutory targets set by the The Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act are that by the end of 2040 no more than 5% of households will be in fuel poverty.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Cameron Stewart said:

“Fuel poverty is causing so much misery for families and individuals across West Dunbartonshire.

“Poorly insulated homes and the soaring price of energy are increasing the chances of more and more people experiencing fuel poverty.

“For years, the Scottish Government’s response has fallen woefully short. Ministers have announced snazzy schemes that move at snail’s pace. It could take almost a century before the SNP’s flagship insulation programme is rolled out to all eligible homes, including those in West Dunbartonshire.

“To bring down bills and emissions, Scottish Liberal Democrats would rapidly insulate homes, drive a rooftop solar revolution and overhaul community benefit rules so that local people finally get a proper share of the wealth from the renewables production on their doorstep.”

The results for the Clydebank and Milngavie constituency has seen the Lib Dem vote share increase and overtake the Tories for the first time since 2003. The position looks very familiar to where the Lib Dems were in Strathkelvin and Bearsden in 2021 prior to the Lib Dems gaining it from the SNP this time round. The election night that saw the Scottish Liberal Democrats win in total 10 seats across Scotland a gain of 6 compared to 2021. 

It has been a long and hard campaign but a fun one too. Massive thank you to all the volunteers who throughout this campaign helped to support Ben. A wonderful team that helped deliver a growth in the Liberal Democrat vote share. The work continues though as the East Dunbartonshire Liberal Democrats continue to work all year round and if you wish to join our volunteer team you can sign up here.

Full details of the results below:

• SNP: 12,126 (38.6%, -8.6)
• Labour: 7,929 (25.2%, -8.0)
• Reform UK: 4,510 (14.3%, new)
• Ben Langmead (Lib Dem): 4,419 (14.1%, +6.2)
• Conservative: 1,820 (5.8%, -5.2)
• Scottish Common Party 647 (2.1%, new)

Scottish Liberal Democrats are pleased to announce that Ben Langmead has been selected as the candidate for Clydebank & Milngavie at next year's Scottish Parliament election. 

Ben Langmead grew up in Essex and moved to Bearsden in 2014 where he has lived with his wife and 2 children ever since. A 35 year career in financial services has seen Ben move from London to New York before settling in Bearsden. On his selection Ben says “I could not more proud to have the opportunity to represent the fine people of Clydebank & Milngavie. A place that has been my home for over a decade and I could not imagine living anywhere else now.”

Ben chose to live in Bearsden when he transferred up with work, attracted by the schools and quality of life available to him and his family.

On his candidacy Ben said “I just could not bear any longer to sit on the sidelines and watch the country I now call home slip deeper into chaos led by the SNP.”

Ben has been an active campaigner for the Scottish Liberal Democrats and knocked on thousands of doors and spoken to thousands of people since joining the party in 2022, “it’s getting out and meeting people that I really enjoy about campaigning. I understand that people are tired of politics as usual these days, so am I. I am just looking for common sense solutions to the problems we all face every day and helping people get better value for their money from public services.”

“Under the SNP, Conservatives and now Labour people have seen the NHS deteriorate, Education scores collapse, the attainment gap widen, roads and pavements disintegrate and the spending power of their pay-cheque shrink.”

“I promise I will strain every sinew to get Clydebank & Milngavie the funding needed to make it the best place on the West of Scotland to live, raise a family and grow old.”

Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said:

“Ben will be an excellent MSP for Clydebank & Milngavie. The life experience Ben brings will help speak up for residents on the issues that matter most, like swift access to local healthcare and well-funded local services.

“After our stunning victory in Mid Dunbartonshire at last summer’s election where we pushed the SNP back into second place, voters will have a real choice, to back the Lib Dems again and get a hardworking local champion in Ben Langmead.”

Susan Murray, MP for Mid Dunbartonshire said:

"Ben Langmead is the strong local voice that Clydebank and Milngavie needs at Holyrood after 18 years of failure under the SNP Government. Voters will have a real choice, a hardworking local champion or more of the same with the SNP."