We will deliver the Fuel Poverty Action Plan to seek to reduce Shetland’s fuel poverty rate.
Shetland suffers from a high rate of fuel poverty when compared to other parts of the UK and Our Ambition commits us to trying to bring that rate down. Cost of living pressures continue to have an impact on households and communities. 31% of households in Shetland were classified as experiencing fuel poverty in 2019. Due to a change in the definition of fuel poverty by the Scottish Government, the baseline of 53% reported in 2016, is no longer comparable.
As part of a significant effort to raise awareness of the issue with UK and Scottish Governments, the Council’s Political Leader wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer laying out stark predictions for household energy costs for those living in Shetland due to increasing energy prices. Fuel poverty levels were, at that time, projected to increase significantly with statistics showing that, even under normal circumstances, the cost of living in Shetland is anything from 20-65% higher than the UK average.
Development Committee approved the new Local Housing Strategy in September 2022. A major part of the strategy focuses on fuel poverty, namely locating and targeting buildings that require heating system and fabric upgrades.