If introduced, it could pull thousands out of fuel poverty in Scotland
A Scottish charity is calling on the UK Government to introduce a social energy tariff ahead of the energy price cap rising again next week.
The most recent fuel poverty statistics from the Scottish House Condition Survey and Scottish Government (2023) displayed that overall fuel poverty in Scotland is 34%, up from 31% in 2022.
On 1 October, the energy price cap is set to rise again, meaning the average annual price will rise by about £35 per home when compared with last year.
As energy prices continue to rise, more people will be affected by fuel poverty, but the introduction of a targeted social energy tariff will help to decrease the burden on low-income families.
The ALIenergy charity was established in 2000 to ensure sustainable energy use and generation to the benefit of individuals, communities and the local economy, and to combat fuel poverty.
To mark its 25th anniversary, it has declared a “fuel poverty emergency” and has urged the adoption of a targeted social energy tariff.
The tariff provides a discounted energy price for those who meet the eligibility criteria, such as low-income households and those living with unavoidably high energy costs due to disability or illness.
ALIenergy supports the previous calls from the Scottish Government for the introduction of a targeted tariff. The Scottish Government established the Social Tariff Working Group, which submitted its final recommendation in April of this year, calling for a unit rate discount or real-time rebate for eligible households.
Following this, the Energy Social Tariff Bill was introduced as a private member’s bill by Labour MP Polly Billington in July. The bill calls for a requirement for energy companies to provide social energy tariffs for low-income customers.
If introduced, this could pull thousands out of fuel poverty in Scotland.
ALIenergy provides much-needed advice and support to around 2,000 households a year. Initially operating only in Argyll, the charity has expanded its services over the years, branching into the Highlands and increasing its partnerships on local, national, and international levels.
Celebrating its 25th year, ALIenergy hosted a celebratory event with politicians, environmentalists and fuel poverty activists in attendance. The local MP, Brendan O’Hara and environmentalist and poverty activist Ashok Sinha were key speakers.
ALIenergy CEO Lynda Mitchell said: “We are delighted to be marking our 25th year, but we are focused on the real issue that we are living through a fuel poverty emergency.
“On a daily basis, we assist people who have to make the terrible choice between eating and heating their homes, and with winter on the way and the energy price cap set to increase yet again, this issue must be addressed by the UK Government.
“Much of the region we operate in is off the gas grid, and residents are often paying up to four times more for their heating.
“To address this, we are calling for the UK government to support a social energy tariff, to aid the most vulnerable in our society and pull people out of fuel poverty.
“I hope our anniversary event will send a message to residents living in fuel poverty across these regions and Scotland as a whole, that they are not alone.”
Roxy Malik, an Argyll and Bute Resident who lives in fuel poverty, said: “My long-term conditions and the energy crisis are having a huge impact on my physical, psychological and mental health and wellbeing.
“I end up leaving bills, bank statements, important letters and emails unopened because I’m so concerned – how much will I have to pay and how can I pay it? It becomes very daunting and overwhelming. Especially when you’ve been independent and worked hard all your life. It’s hard.
“A social tariff seems like a fairer way of doing things; it accounts for what a person needs, such as their health and medical needs. If it could take away the unjust cost of standing charges when you aren’t even using power, that would be brilliant.”
