18000 households in West Dunbartonshire in fuel poverty

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.”