Kevin Stewart MSP discussws how the government seeks to ensure everyone in Scotland can adequately heat their home

Action is needed to bring an end to fuel poverty and to ensure no one in Scotland has to live in a cold, damp home.

That was the keynote message from the minister for local government and housing, Kevin Stewart MSP, when he opened Energy Action Scotland's national conference entitled Fuel Poverty Matters.

He outlined the Scottish Government’s plans to improve the energy efficiency of homes across the country over the coming years and said new devolved powers will put the Scottish Government in charge of delivering programmes to help mitigate the cost of energy for Scottish households.

Everyone should be able to heat their home and keep themselves and their families warm, therefore tackling and eradicating fuel poverty is vital - Kevin Stuart

He said: “Everyone should be able to heat their home and keep themselves and their families warm, therefore tackling and eradicating fuel poverty is vital and we must make sure action we are taking is making a difference to those that need it most.

"Since 2008 over one million energy efficiency measures have been installed in almost one million households across Scotland which has helped make homes warmer and easier to heat. We will build on this by investing half a billion pounds over the next four years to continue tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency.

“Energy Action Scotland has been a valued member of the Fuel Poverty Forum for a number of years and I look forward to continuing to work alongside them as we develop our approach to tackling fuel poverty."

Director of Energy Action Scotland, Norman Kerr, said: “Our network has a wealth of knowledge and experience about what is happening on the ground in order to turn cold, damp houses into warm, dry homes. This conference aims to help support plans for ending the blight of fuel poverty in Scotland.”