Fuel poverty scheme helps just 1.8% of households in East Dunbartonshire in 11 years

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate, Adam Harley, has today revealed that the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme has helped just 1.8% of households in East Dunbartonshire since it was launched eleven years ago.

The scheme was launched in 2015 to support households at risk of fuel poverty by carrying out energy efficiency improvements including insulation, and by installing new heating systems.

However, since then it has helped only 829 households in East Dunbartonshire. This accounts for just 1.8% of households.

The Scottish Government’s most recent estimate suggested that 732,000 households in Scotland were experiencing fuel poverty, equating to 29% of all households. If the rate was replicated across East Dunbartonshire approximately 13,000 households would be in fuel poverty.

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate, Adam Harley said:

“People are still struggling with the increased cost of living across East Dunbartonshire. For many their energy bills are higher than they should be because they live in poorly-insulated homes with inefficient heating.

“The government’s fuel poverty scheme should be helping those people but in the decade since it was launched it has been throttled by a lack of commitment from ministers.

“Any household being helped out of fuel poverty is welcome and those people delivering practical help are doing good work. However the government’s commitment to this scheme does not match the urgency of combating fuel poverty.

“To bring down bills and emissions Scottish Liberal Democrats would rapidly insulate homes, drive a rooftop solar revolution, install thousands more EV chargers and overhaul community benefit rules so that local communities get a proper share of the wealth from the renewables rollout on their doorstep.

”In Strathkelvin and Bearsden, you can vote for change with fairness at its heart by giving both of your votes to the Liberal Democrats on the 7th of May."