THE SNP-GREEN Scottish government’s plan to axe a fund that “keeps the lights and heating on for thousands of vulnerable households” was blasted as atrocious by fuel poverty campaigners today.
Since it was set up in 2020, the Fuel Insecurity Fund has provided £9 million in heating grants to those struggling with bills, paid for 81,000 top-up vouchers for pre-payment meters and supported 55,000 tenants through a social landlords scheme.
Only in March, First Minister Humza Yousaf announced a commitment to double the Fuel Insecurity Fund from £10m to £20m and triple it to £30m for 2023-24.
Those words now ring hollow for many working with people facing fuel poverty, after his government’s draft budget announced it faces the axe.
Advice Scotland’s Alan McIntosh told the Star: “It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Fund is literally keeping the lights and heating on for thousands of the most vulnerable households across Scotland this winter.
“The prospect that capacity won't exist next winter is truly terrifying.
“It is hard to believe this cut, against the most vulnerable households, won’t deepen the cost-of-living crisis.”
Branding the cut “atrocious,” Fuel Poverty Action’s Lucia Harrington said: “Whilst organisations like Fuel Poverty Action and our allies in Unite Community are campaigning for energy to be put back into the hands of people, Scottish people need support from the government to cope with the fact that energy bills are still over double what they were in 2021.
“Last year, 521 people in Scotland died due to cold homes; if there is no support for people struggling with fuel poverty whilst costs of essentials continue to rise, we could see more.”
STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “Energy prices are still too high and energy companies are raking it in while people suffer.
“The scrapping of the Fuel Insecurity Fund from April is nothing short of irresponsible from a government that claims to be progressive.
“This is just the latest in a series of disappointing moves from the Scottish government.”
SNP energy minister Gillian Martin responded: “Faced with one of the most difficult financial climates since devolution, with real-terms cuts to our block grant from the UK government, we have had to make tough decisions, and it has not been possible to commit additional funding to the Fuel Insecurity Fund.”
