How we help people in fuel poverty

What is fuel poverty?

In the UK, more than six and a half million households are estimated to be living in fuel poverty*. In Scotland, it’s now estimated that there are 850,000 households living in fuel poverty – that’s around 31% of households.**

Fuel poverty is a term used to refer to a situation where a household is unable to heat their home to a temperature needed to stay warm and healthy. While the exact term and definition varies across the UK, fuel poverty is affected by three key factors:

• a household’s income
• their energy costs
• their energy use – which is affected by how energy efficient their home is.

Some households are more at risk of fuel poverty than others – for example, households that use pre-payment meters, have low incomes, rent their home, or who live in remote areas. It’s a situation that gets worse in the winter months as the temperature drops and householders find themselves struggling to pay their energy bills.

How we help people at risk of fuel poverty

We will support anyone who’s concerned about their energy bills by giving free, expert and impartial advice to help them stay warm at home for less. Whatever way someone heats their home, and whether they own or rent, we will tailor our advice to help them, whatever their circumstances.

We have a network of advice centres across Scotland, with friendly advisors providing local knowledge and expert advice on topics including:

• Saving energy and keeping warm at home – we give practical advice on everyday actions to save energy and reduce costs, as well as how to make energy efficiency improvements.
• Funding options – we are the only place to get Scottish Government grants and interest-free loans to make energy efficiency improvements to keep the heat in.

Working in partnership 

We also work in partnership with organisations that help people struggling to heat their home, and with community-led projects that help people tackle climate change by reducing their carbon emissions.

Our specialist energy advisors, Energycarers, provide intensive support to households with issues relating to physical or mental health, disability, family circumstances, low income and expensive heating.

We support events, share resources, offer free training and workshops, and invite organisations to refer people that need support through our secure online portal.

An ongoing example of our successful partnership work is our outreach activity at Newton Primary School’s Community Hub in Ayr. The hub, set up by Headteacher Fiona McAvoy, supports not only the school’s families but also the wider community with food, household, clothing and energy-saving supplies. Team members from our South West advice centre regularly attend, alongside other partner organisations, to give people advice on how to save energy at home, access funding, and refer householders who need extra support to our Energycarers. In recent months the service has signposted increasing numbers of people to crisis support funding, a trend which shows no sign of slowing down.

Our impact

Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, we gave free energy advice to 128,791 people and generated an estimated £4.7 million lifetime saving on energy bills for low-income, potentially fuel-poor households.***

“So helpful, and endless supply of tips. Professional, understanding and so approachable.” – Home Energy Scotland customer***

Get help

If you’re struggling with your energy bills and need help to stay warm this winter, contact us for free advice and support. 

Our advisors can tell you about ways to make your home warmer and more affordable to heat. They can also check if you’re eligible for any benefits or funding available.

You can also contact us on behalf of someone else – but we do need their permission so we can give them the best, tailored advice for them. Find out more on our contact us webpage.

Partner with us

If you’d like to help us tackle fuel poverty, find out how to partner with us.
 

*Source: Fuel poverty in the UK, House of Commons library, February 2024
**Source: The Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel
***Source: Energy Saving Trust’s impact report 2023-2024