The Scottish Government published the 2022 key findings of the Scottish House Condition Survey on 29 February 2024, covering fuel poverty rates, energy efficiency ratings, housing condition and the Scottish Housing Quality Standard1. The survey estimates that 31% of all households, around 791,000, were in fuel poverty in 2022, higher than the 2019 rate of 24.6%, around 613,000 households1. Of those in fuel poverty, 18.5%, or 472,000 households, were in extreme fuel poverty, against 12.4%, or 311,000 households, in 20191. The publication states these are the first accredited official statistics meeting the full definition of fuel poverty in Scotland set out in the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019, which received Royal Assent on 18th July 20192.
The median fuel poverty gap, the annual amount needed to move a household out of fuel poverty, was £1,240 in 2022, 65% higher than the £750 recorded in 20191. Adjusted for 2015 prices, the median gap was £1,020, 46% higher than the £700 adjusted figure for 20191. The report attributes the rise in part to fuel prices: the average fuel price index grew by 82.7% in 2022, with gas up 90% and liquid fuels up 86.5%2.
Rates varied by tenure, heating fuel and income:
| Group | Fuel poverty rate, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Social sector | 48% |
| Private sector | 26% |
| Housing association | 47% |
| Local authority | 48% |
| Private rented | 44% |
| Owner occupier with mortgage | 14% |
| Owner occupier, owned outright | 28% |
| Electricity as primary heating fuel | 46% |
| Gas as primary heating fuel | 29% |
| Oil as primary heating fuel | 28% |
| Pre-payment meter households | 47% |
| Households without a pre-payment meter | 28% |
| Annual income under £15,000 | 89% |
| Annual income £15,000 to £24,999 | 43% |
| EPC band C or better | 27% |
| EPC bands F or G | 41% |
Source: Scottish House Condition Survey 2022 key findings1.
On energy efficiency, 52% of Scottish homes were rated EPC band C or better in 2022, against 45% in 20191. Under SAP 2009, 56% of dwellings were rated C or better, up 32 percentage points since 2010, while the share in bands E, F or G fell from 27% in 2010 to 9% in 20221. The survey notes that social and private rented households, which have higher fuel poverty rates, may be under-represented in the 2022 sample and owner-occupied households over-represented, meaning national fuel poverty estimates may be slightly under-estimated1.
The Scottish Government said of the measurement basis:
Why it matters for households
Fuel poverty in Scotland is measured against a household's income after housing costs, the cost of maintaining a satisfactory heating regime, and whether what remains is enough to meet an acceptable standard of living2. The heating regime assumed depends on the household: enhanced heating temperatures and hours apply to households where someone is aged 75 or over, has a long-term sickness or disability, or receives care or disability benefits2. That means the headline rate reflects the cost of heating a home adequately, not actual spending, and the report notes households are not heating to the modelled standard1. The gap figures show the distance between a household's fuel costs and the threshold, so a rising median gap indicates fuel poor households are further from being able to heat their homes without financial strain2. The survey also found 16% of all households said their heating keeps them warm enough in winter only sometimes and 5% said never, with 26% of fuel poor households reporting this compared with 20% of non-fuel poor households1. Energy efficiency tracks with the rate: homes rated EPC band C or better had a fuel poverty rate of 27%, against 41% in bands F or G1. The housing stock and home energy data for Scotland show 95% of dwellings had loft insulation of 100mm or more, 32% of lofts were insulated to 300mm or more, 69% of cavity walls were insulated and 16% of solid wall dwellings had insulation1.
What happens next
The Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019 sets 2040 targets of no more than 5% of households in fuel poverty, no more than 1% in extreme fuel poverty, and a median fuel poverty gap of no more than £250 at 2015 prices2. The report notes that in June 2016 the Minister for Local Government and Housing told Parliament it was unlikely the earlier statutory target would be met2. No further publication date is given in the sources.