SGN published an article on 22 July 2024 describing two partnership programmes that support households struggling to afford energy, alongside figures from its Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) annual report. The gas distribution network said the report "outlines our work to help vulnerable customers stay safe and warm"1.
The article cites Department for Energy Security and Net Zero figures showing the number of households spending more than 10% of their income after housing costs on energy rose in 2023 to 8.91 million, or 36.4% of households, up from 6.66 million, or 27.4%, in 20221. It also cites Energy Action Scotland reporting that one in three Scottish households are in fuel poverty1.
Under the Safe and Warm Community Scheme, run with the Centre for Sustainable Energy, SGN said it has provided 43 grassroots organisations with skills and resources to help frontline support workers, and has helped almost 19,000 vulnerable households with energy triage and crisis support1. The scheme funds small organisations and helps them with funding applications and project delivery1.
Under the Safe and Warm programme with Citizens Advice Scotland, SGN said it aims to support up to 6,400 vulnerable households in fuel poverty in harder to reach communities through dedicated energy advisers1. Since March 2022 it has helped over 4,690 Scottish households in the most deprived parts of its network, including 2,217 households in the year to the article's publication1. It also provided energy advice training for 700 frontline workers on energy efficiency, the Priority Services Register and carbon monoxide awareness; SGN said those workers will support an average of 57 clients each, giving a reach of almost 40,000 people1.
"Since March 2022, we've helped over 4,690 Scottish households struggling with energy costs in the most deprived parts of our network"
| Programme | Partner | Reported reach |
|---|---|---|
| Safe and Warm Community Scheme | Centre for Sustainable Energy | 43 grassroots organisations; almost 19,000 households helped with energy triage and crisis support |
| Safe and Warm programme | Citizens Advice Scotland | Target of up to 6,400 households; over 4,690 Scottish households helped since March 2022; 2,217 in the past year; 700 frontline workers trained |
Why it matters for households
Fuel poverty support in the UK is delivered through a mix of network-funded schemes, charities and public advice services, and the figures here show how far that support reaches. For a household in fuel poverty, the practical routes described are energy triage and crisis support, energy bill advocacy, and help accessing energy efficiency schemes, which affect how much energy a home needs in the first place1. SGN's own account notes that households in fuel poverty are at increased risk of using unsafe appliances or fuels and of rationing energy use, leading to cold, damp homes1. The training element matters for reach: 700 frontline workers supporting an average of 57 clients each extends advice beyond the households an adviser sees directly1. The article does not report eligibility criteria, referral routes or how households can apply to either programme.
What happens next
SGN states that the aim of the Citizens Advice Scotland partnership is to support up to 6,400 vulnerable households through dedicated energy advisers1. No closing date or further timetable for either programme is given in the article. The VCMA Annual Report 2024 is linked from the article1.
Households in Scotland can also reach the Scottish Government-funded Home Energy Scotland service, and Changeworks carries out retrofit and fuel poverty work there. Free advice is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and National Energy Action is the fuel poverty charity. SGN's role as a network operator is set out in the SGN guide.