Conference hears about fuel poverty in Western Isles 14/3/13
A conference about fuel poverty in Stornoway discussed the prevalent problem of people
not having enough income to pay the rising cost of heating their homes.
The Western Isles has the UK’s highest levels of fuel poverty with some 58% of island
household affected compared to the Scottish average of 28%.
The recent Energy Advice Service (TEAS) forum included guest speaker Dr Lesley Wilkie,
former Director of Public Health at Grampian NHS and a board member of Energy Action
Scotland.
Norman Kerr, Director of Energy Action Scotland, David Sigsworth, chairman of the
Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum and Rhoda Grant MSP all provided a different perspective
on the issue.
Later, Norman Kerr explained: “The timing of the TEAS Fuel Poverty Conference is
very important, fuel poverty continues to grow in Scotland especially in the Islands.
“TEAS have shown what good initiatives are taking place in the Western Isles and
it is important that we build on the good work and best practice they have already
undertaken.”
He added: “There are tremendous opportunities to secure funding for the work on hard
to treat properties so prevalent on the Islands but the window for doing so is a
small one.
“I’d urge the Council and the public to get behind TEAS to offer as much support
as they need to tackle the blight of fuel poverty on the Islands.”
Dr Wilkie's highlighted that often health problems arose out of fuel poverty in the
Western Isles - even more so on young people and the elderly.
She explained that further evidence based research was essential when looking at
the issue of health inequalities that come out of being fuel poor and encouraged
all local agencies to work together to help identify and tackle the problem.
Comhairle convenor Norman MacDonald said there was still some way to go with installing
insulation in homes to help tackle the structural issues that can lead to fuel poverty.
He said: “The technology is evolving all the time. Some of the first homes that were
done have to be looked at again.”
Welfare reforms and the effect these would have on fuel poverty were also raised.
Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP said: “It is frightening when you think
of what is down the road at us. It will impact fuel poverty, especially in places
like this where people are going to be hit by the bedroom tax... it will impact on
the NHS and local government – anyone whose got to pick up the pieces.”
Kirsty MacLennan, TEAS Fuel Poverty Officer said: “It was encouraging to see such
a large turnout of organisations at the event.
“The conference highlighted how vital partnership working is in meeting the needs
of many householders, in addition to also emphasising the importance of trusted intermediaries
and an area-based approach in order to reach the most vulnerable groups.
“The relationship between health and fuel poverty was also an important topic of
discussion, which demonstrated the similar approaches for tackling health issues
and the potential benefits which collaborative working with health agencies could
achieve.”