Dave Thompson MSP

SKYE, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP, Dave Thompson, asks the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment to pay particular attention to off-grid consumers in rural areas.

Mr Thompson is concerned that it is a question of eating or heating for many of his constituents as winter approaches. Last week in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament, Mr Thompson responded to the Cabinet Secretary’s statement on fuel poverty. He asked the Secretary to ensure that additional measures are implemented for off-grid consumers. Mr Thompson pointed out that his constituents’ are still concerned about the cost of fuel oil.

The Cabinet Secretary, Alex Neil agreed with Mr Thompson and stated that the Scottish Government are willing to instigate new measures to tackle fuel poverty despite less money to go round. Mr Neil pointed out that the inexorable increase in energy suppliers’ prices was responsible for ‘undoing the good work and making the basic right to a warm home seem out of reach for many.’

Mr Thompson welcomes the grants already awarded by the Government for insulation and the funding provided through the Energy Assistance Package. Nevertheless, more must be done.

Mr Thompson says, “My constituents are hurting. We’re approaching winter and, if it is anything like last winter, constituents will feel real hardships. They need to feel that the Government is on their side. I’m glad to see that progress is being made.

Energy suppliers have been called to meet with the First Minister at a summit to discuss the situation. Furthermore the Government is instigating a review of its fuel poverty strategy, which will examine how to maximise funds in order to eliminate fuel poverty. Mr Thompson acknowledged the good work and welcomed the review as a sign of the Scottish Government’s good intent.

Notes:

Fuel poverty is defined as spending 10 per cent or more of household income on domestic fuel bills.

Mr Thompson’s question in full: “I, too, welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement, which represents real progress. I am sure that the cabinet secretary knows that there is a particular problem in rural areas, where people who are off-grid cannot take advantage of gas, for instance. Such people often have very low incomes, poor insulation in their houses, and very high heating costs for oil and other things. We are awaiting an office of Fair Trading Report. Will the cabinet secretary ensure that the review that is to take palce will pay particular attention to consumers in rural areas who are off-grid?”