Chamber and committees

Scottish Government's proposed Fuel Poverty Strategy

Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, 24 November 2021

Dear Neil,

Thank you for your letter of 17 November and for advising me of the stakeholder evidence session on the proposed Fuel Poverty Strategy that the Committee intends to hold on 25 November.

You asked about the engagement and consultation that has been undertaken to support the development of the Fuel Poverty Strategy. The proposed final Fuel Poverty Strategy builds on the draft strategy that was published in 2018. The Scottish Government consulted extensively on the previous draft of the strategy and this informed the development of the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019 (the 2019 Act) and the current proposed strategy.

Early this year the formal consultation on our Heat in Buildings Strategy sought views from stakeholders on the plans set out in the strategy in the context of tackling fuel poverty.

Additionally, in September my officials held a number of interactive, virtual consultation events on the strategy themes and potential actions. These events were attended by a wide range of stakeholders including organisations that provide advice and support to households in fuel poverty including in rural and island communities, local authorities and social landlords and individuals with lived experience. Those attending the sessions were also encouraged to provide written comments.

The attached Annex A to this letter sets out the range of organisations that have contributed to our understanding of fuel poverty matters from the September 2021 engagement events. That together with those who responded to the Heat in Buildings Strategy consultation (Heat in Buildings Strategy - achieving net zero emissions in Scotland's buildings - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)) as well as those who contributed to the 2018 consultation (Fuel Poverty Strategy for Scotland: consultation analysis - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)) have helped us take the rich information into account across these consultation events over the years in the production of the proposed final Fuel Poverty Strategy. We will publish a report setting out the consultation process and how the views expressed during that process have been taken into account as required by the 2019 Act. We intend to lay this in Parliament in 2022.

I will also take this opportunity to confirm that work continues to conclude the public appointments process for the statutory Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel. I look forward to working with the Panel, once appointed, to create a fairer Scotland for all, and one where every household lives in a warm home they can afford to heat.

I look forward to hearing from you on the findings from the evidence session.

Yours sincerely

Michael Matheson

Annex A 

Fuel Poverty Strategy Development Contributors

September 2021 Consultation

• Advice Direct Scotland
• Existing Homes Alliance
• Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
• Hjaltland Housing Association
• St Andrews Environmental Network
• Connected Response
• Changeworks
• Voice of Carers Across Lothian
• Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities
• Energy Action Scotland
• Poverty and Inequality Commission
• Central Regional Tenants Network
• Aberdeenshire Council
• Fuel Poverty Consultant
• Living Rent
• Christians Against Poverty
• Church of Scotland
• Citizens Advice Scotland
• Energy Saving Trust
• Fife Council
• South Seeds
• ALACHO
• Child Poverty Action Group
• Cunninghame Housing Association
• Tighean Innse Gall
• WISE Group
• Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel
• Scottish Power Energy Networks
• Scottish Islands Federation
• One Parent Family Scotland
• Scottish Power
• SFHA
• Highlands and Islands Housing Associations Affordable Warmth
• THAW Orkney