In 2019, an estimated 613,000 Scottish households were in fuel poverty – 24.6% of all Scottish households.
A household is in fuel poverty if:
1. After housing costs have been deducted, more than 10% of their net income is required to pay for their reasonable fuel needs.
2. After further adjustments are made to deduct childcare costs and any benefits received for a disability or care need, their remaining income is insufficient to maintain an acceptable standard of living, defined as being at least 90% of the UK Minimum Income Standard (MIS).
Using information from the Local Authority Analysis 2017-2019 and the Key Findings Infographic Summary of the Scottish House Condition Survey, this post explores the 2017-19 local authority fuel poverty estimates.
Extreme Fuel Poverty
In 2019, an estimated 311,000 Scottish households were in extreme fuel poverty – 12.4% of all Scottish households .
A household would count as being in extreme fuel poverty if the fuel costs take up more than 20% of the household income, after housing costs are deducted.
Fuel Poverty Gap
Where a household is in fuel poverty, the fuel poverty gap is the annual amount that would be required to move the household out of fuel poverty. It is expressed as a median value.
Fuel Poverty Eradication Targets
As part of the Fuel Poverty Act 2019 (preceded by the work of both the Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force and the publication of the Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy for Scotland 2018), the Scottish Government have set targets to eradicate fuel poverty, not only in Scotland as a whole, but also within each of the 32 local authority areas.
The 2030, 2035 and 2040 targets are:
| Target | 2030 | 2035 | 2040 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households in fuel poverty | 15% | 10% | 5% |
| Households in extreme fuel poverty | 5% | 3% | 1% |
| Medium Fuel Poverty Gap (calculated at 2015 prices before adding inflation) | £350 | £300 | £250 |
Publication of the Final Fuel Poverty Strategy was due in September 2020. However, this has been delayed due to COVID-19. Nonetheless, the Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel has been established and met, along with publishing its first annual report.
See also Scotland’s heat demand.
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