Fuel poverty issues brought before forum

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur, in collaboration with Highlands and Islands MSP Mike Mackenzie, hosted a meeting of the Fuel Poverty Forum in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.

The event followed representations from Mr McArthur to the forum about the specific challenges facing householders in Orkney in improving the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing household fuel bills.

The vice-convener of the forum, Norrie Kerr, from Energy Action Scotland, is due to visit Orkney in the coming weeks to discuss in more detail how fuel poverty programmes might be used to better target the needs of those living in the islands.

Commenting after the meeting, Mr McArthur said: “Orkney has the highest incidence of fuel poverty in Scotland, apart from the Western Isles. Longer, harsher winters, higher fuel costs and more hard to heat properties all play their part in explaining this worrying claim to fame.

“I was pleased, therefore, to be able to welcome the Fuel Poverty Forum to the Scottish Parliament today.  It was particularly encouraging to hear forum members recognise the need to prioritise tackling fuel poverty in our islands. There was also welcome support allowing local communities more flexibility in dealing with these issues in ways that best reflect their needs.

“Tackling Household Affordable Warmth (THAW) represents just such an approach in Orkney, and I am delighted that forum vice-chairman, Norrie Kerr will be in the islands later this month to meet with THAW.  There are no easy or cheap solutions to these problems, but it is good to see the specific challenges facing our islands now being more fully acknowledged.”