Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 26th November
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is an annual campaign led by the UK charity National Energy Action (NEA) to draw attention to the challenges of fuel poverty across the country. This year, the event takes place on Wednesday 26th November, with a focus on the experiences of children living in cold homes and the impact this has on their health, comfort, and future opportunities.
What is Fuel Poverty?
Fuel poverty describes the difficulty households face in affording adequate heating to maintain a warm and healthy home. Under Scottish legislation, a household is considered to be in fuel poverty if:
• It spends more than 10% of its remaining income (after housing costs) on energy, and
• After paying for energy, its income falls below the Minimum Income Standard.
According to the Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel Annual Report 2024–2025, around 34% of households in Scotland are in fuel poverty, with 19.4% in extreme fuel poverty. This represents approximately 861,000 households, including 491,000 in extreme hardship.
Who is Most Affected?
Fuel poverty tends to affect certain groups more severely due to income levels, housing conditions, and energy access. The most at-risk households typically include:
• Low-income families – Limited budgets make it harder to cover rising energy costs.
• Households using pre-payment meters – These often have higher tariffs and require upfront payments.
• Private renters – They may have less control over insulation or heating systems.
• People living in older or poorly insulated homes – Heat loss increases energy demand.
• Rural or remote households – Higher fuel costs and limited access to energy suppliers can worsen the problem.
• Vulnerable groups – Including older adults, people with disabilities, and families with young children, who need consistent warmth for health and wellbeing.
Impact on Children
Children living in cold homes face significant risks to their health and wellbeing. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can contribute to:
• Respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis
• Increased risk of mental health challenges
• Poor sleep quality, affecting learning and concentration
• Higher likelihood of missed school days
• Long-term effects on growth and development
These factors can influence educational attainment and overall life chances, making fuel poverty a critical concern for child welfare.
How Our Energy Service Can Help
Our Home Energy Advice Service supports households across Forth Valley and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs in tackling fuel poverty. We provide practical, impartial advice and hands-on support to help reduce energy costs and improve home efficiency. Our services include:
• Free home visits offering tailored guidance on insulation, energy tariffs, and billing.
• Thermal imaging surveys to identify heat loss and recommend cost-effective improvements.
• Assistance with switching to better tariffs and accessing grants or funding.
• Simple, practical tips to lower energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.
By helping households cut energy bills and improve home efficiency, we aim to reduce fuel poverty, lower carbon emissions, and create warmer, healthier homes for everyone.
Take Action Today
If you or someone you know is struggling with energy costs, we’re here to help. To learn more about our service or arrange a free home energy visit, please contact us by phone, email, or through our website. By taking these small steps today can make a big difference to improving your home comfort and energy costs for the future.
Call us on 01786 234782
Email us at energy@felscotland.org
Visit Home Advice Request Form to book online
