Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill

# Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill Fuel poverty—the inability to afford adequate heating and energy—remains a significant problem in Scotland, particularly affecting vulnerable households. The rising cost of energy, combined with poorly insulated housing stock and low household incomes, has left many Scottish families struggling to heat their homes to safe temperatures. This bill was introduced to provide a clearer legislative framework for tackling fuel poverty by establishing specific, measurable targets and a consistent definition of what constitutes fuel poverty, allowing the Scottish Government to develop a more coherent and strategic approach to addressing the issue. The bill introduces a new statutory definition of fuel poverty based on income and energy costs, replacing the previous "fuel poverty line" approach with a more nuanced measurement. It requires the Scottish Government to set binding fuel poverty reduction targets and to publish regular strategies outlining how these targets will be achieved. Key provisions include powers to define fuel poverty in regulations, obligations to set targets that take account of different household circumstances, and requirements for the Scottish Government to report progress annually to the Scottish Parliament. The bill aims to embed fuel poverty reduction as a long-term policy priority, ensuring that governments are held accountable for measurable improvements in households' ability to afford adequate energy.

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