FM urged to include emergency home insulation scheme in legislative plans

John Swinney is being urged to announce an emergency home insulation scheme, as campaigners claim it could help prevent families from “shivering in cold damp homes” at the same time as helping tackle climate change.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) wants the First Minister to include such a scheme as he announces his plans for the coming year when Holyrood returns this week.

The SNP leader will announce his Programme for Government on Tuesday, and SCCS advocacy lead Amanda Grimm said Mr Swinney had the “power to help people live in warmer, healthier homes that are cheaper to heat”.

Regulator Ofgem has announced the energy price cap will rise to its highest level for three years, leaving households facing the prospect of paying more for gas and electricity from October.

The SCCS added that treating illnesses caused by living in cold, damp houses currently costs the NHS in Scotland as much as £80 million a year, and the group said a nationwide programme to improve insulation could “dramatically improve life” for many households, while bringing down bills, creating jobs and reducing environmentally damaging emissions.

Ms Grimm said: “As the weather turns, millions of Scots will again be shivering in cold, damp homes, with around half of all properties falling below recommended levels of energy-efficiency to keep heat in.

“The number of people who cannot afford to heat their homes has risen to record levels, with one in three struggling to pay bills as energy prices soar due to volatile oil and gas prices stoked by international conflicts.

“Disabled people, single-parent families and ethnic minorities are hit the hardest.

“And recent research has revealed that many people are even skipping meals and cutting down on baths and showers in an effort to save money on bills.”

She added: “The Scottish Government has the power to help people live in warmer, healthier homes that are cheaper to heat by setting up an emergency insulation scheme delivered by trusted, certified installers, to keep warmth in and cold out.

“Insulation is a low-cost and effective climate solution that pays large dividends in health, jobs, economic growth and reducing bills.

“We are urging ministers to include the measure in the upcoming Programme for Government and set about providing urgent support to those who need it most before the year is up.”

SCCS also wants the Scottish Government to include action to both improve bus services and make them cheaper.

The group is also pressing for the number of renewables projects that are community owned to be increased, and for action towards a Scottish renewables manufacturing sector.

Urging ministers to consider such “strong, fair” climate policies, Ms Grimm said benefits would include “lower energy bills, less traffic, cleaner air, better public services and wealth staying in Scottish communities”.

Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly urged the Government to use their legislative plan for the coming year to “build a just and sustainable future for all of us”.

Mr Kelly said: “With warmer homes, affordable buses and more community benefit from Scotland’s renewables we can cut household bills, especially for people struggling with high living costs.

“Ministers can put a green future and an end to child poverty at the heart of its Programme for Government.

“It’s what people in Scotland want and need.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is tackling fuel poverty so everyone is able to live in a warm, healthy home that is affordable to heat.

“Our Heat in Buildings programme, backed by funding worth £1.3 billion, already provides extensive support for households to improve their insulation and heating systems. Around 60% of the funding will be targeted at those most at risk of fuel poverty.

“We are also providing funding to every council in Scotland so they can design and deliver energy efficiency schemes focused on privately owned homes in areas with the highest levels of fuel poverty and deprivation. Since 2013, that work has benefited more than 140,000 households.

“Ministers have urged the UK Government to act now to help people with high energy bills and to devolve full control over Scotland’s energy resources.”