The weighted average index price of heating fuels in Scotland fell by approximately 23.3% in 2024 compared with 2023, according to the Scottish House Condition Survey: 2024 Key Findings, published by the Scottish Government in February 20261. The fall was driven by gas, down 25.0%, and electricity, down 15.2%1. Mean modelled annual running costs were £2,640 in 20241.
The same report estimates that 28.7% of all households were in fuel poverty in 2024, around 732,000 households, down from 33.9% and 859,000 in 2023. That is a decrease of 127,000 households, or five percentage points1. Around 357,000 households, 14.0% of all households, were in extreme fuel poverty, down from 19.4% and 491,000, a fall of 134,000 households, or five percentage points1. The median fuel poverty gap in 2024 was £1,0301.
| Measure | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel poverty (thousands) | 859 | 732 |
| Fuel poverty (%) | 33.9% | 28.7% |
| Extreme fuel poverty (thousands) | 491 | 357 |
| Extreme fuel poverty (%) | 19.4% | 14.0% |
The survey covered 2,902 properties in 2024, with household interviews between January 2024 and February 2025 and physical surveys between January 2024 and March 20251. The report notes that 54% of households reported having energy monitoring devices, higher than the 48% who reported having one in 20231.
On heating equipment, the report states that from February 2023 boiler efficiency standards were again increased for all new and replacement boilers, and that from April 2024 the New Build Heat Standard now only allows zero direct emission heat solutions, a definition that includes heat networks, bioenergy and peat, to be installed in new builds1.
"In 2024 the weighted average index price of heating fuels fell by approximately 23.3% compared to 2023"
Why it matters for households
The index measures the price of the fuels a household buys, not the bill it pays. A 23.3% fall in the weighted average index price of heating fuels sits alongside mean modelled annual running costs of £2,640 in 2024, so the cost of running a home remained substantial even as unit prices eased1. For a household's energy independence, the fuel it uses shapes its exposure: gas fell further than electricity in the index, and homes off the gas grid depend on other fuels whose prices are not broken out in these figures1. The report does not give a breakdown of the index by individual fuel beyond gas and electricity, and it has not been reported how the fall divides between standing charges and unit rates.
The fall in fuel poverty from 33.9% to 28.7% of households, and in extreme fuel poverty from 19.4% to 14.0%, means fewer households were spending a high share of income on energy at the 2024 price levels1. The median fuel poverty gap of £1,030 indicates the amount by which the incomes of fuel poor households fell short of the level needed to meet their required heating costs1. The report does not state how much of the change is attributable to prices rather than incomes or dwelling improvements.
Energy monitoring devices, reported by 54% of households, give a household direct sight of its own consumption, which is the basis on which it can judge whether its heating running costs reflect its usage or its tariff1. The report does not report whether device ownership differs by fuel poverty status in the figures quoted here.
What happens next
The report states that, as there is now a three year pooled data set for 2022 to 2024, a Local Authority level analysis will follow, with estimates expected to be published in mid 20261.
Sources1 cited
- Key+Findings+2024+-+Complete+report.pdf, gov.scot