Fuel Poverty Strategy Consultation

Closed 1 Feb 2018

Opened 9 Nov 2017

Contact

FuelPovertyStrategy@gov.scot

Feedback updated 27 Jun 2018

We asked

For your views on a new approach to tackling fuel poverty in Scotland that brings together actions from across government, and across society, to create a comprehensive strategy to deliver reductions in overall fuel poverty levels.  In particular, we invited views on how progress should be monitored and how our aims as set out are translated into an appropriate statutory framework.  Opinions were sought on new proposed targets (both statutory and non-statutory) and a new definition of fuel poverty, which had been recommended by a panel of academic experts. 

You said

We received a total of 92 responses, representing 91 unique respondents.  Of those, 80 were from groups or organisations and 11 from individual members of the public.  The new definition of fuel poverty proposed was broadly welcomed, with broad support for use of After Housing Cost (AHC) income and adoption of the Minimum Income Standard (MIS), albeit with some calls for a remote rural enhancement.  There was also general support for an outcomes-focussed approach in the new strategy. 

However, more mixed responses were received in relation to the proposed levels and timescales set for the new fuel poverty targets; and there was concern regarding how rural and island communities’ circumstances and experience of fuel poverty are captured under the proposed new definition.

Please read the analysis report for fuller details, available here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/07/6689

We did

We have published all non-confidential responses received.  An independent consultation responses analysis report  has now been published online (link above).

All responses have been considered, and have helped to inform the Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill that has been laid in Parliament, and the now published Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy. These documents and associated materials are available online:

Fuel Poverty Bill and associated documents

http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/108916.aspx

Impact Assessments:

EQIA Results

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/06/7698

Fairer Duty Scotland

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/06/7279

Children’s Rights and Wellbeing

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/06/8976

Health

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/06/5802

Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/06/2306

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

This consultation seeks views on proposals to tackle and diminish fuel poverty in Scotland.

The consultation document seeks views on an approach that brings together actions from across government, and across society, to create a comprehensive strategy to deliver reductions in fuel poverty. The consultation also seeks views on how progress should be monitored and how our aim to tackle fuel poverty effectively is translated into an appropriate statutory framework.

The Fuel Poverty Strategy will feed into the development of a new Warm Homes Bill which we plan to introduce in 2018.

Download full consultation paper here

Why your views matter

The consultation looks at our existing approach and legislative framework for tackling fuel poverty and sets out detailed proposals for a new Fuel Poverty Strategy and the targets which will be enshrined in legislation.

To deliver the aims of the Fuel Poverty Strategy and the Warm Homes Bill which we plan to introduce in 2018 we are seeking views and any additional evidence in response to the questions that feature throughout the document.

What happens next

Where respondents have given permission for their response to be made public, and after we have checked that they contain no potentially defamatory material, responses will be made available to the public at http://consult.scotland.gov.uk. Where the respondent uses Citizen Space to respond, they will receive a copy of their response via email.

Following the closing date, all responses will be analysed and considered along with any other available evidence to help us. The analysis will be published in Spring 2018.

Interests

  • Communities and Third Sector