Whether the fuel poor are getting a fair deal and the problem of cold homes is being adequately addressed is the subject of a national conference, to be opened today (Thur 3 November) by the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil.
Organised by the national fuel poverty charity, Energy Action Scotland, the two-day event in Clydebank will examine what is being done about the three main causes of fuel poverty – energy inefficient homes, high fuel prices and low household income.
In his opening address, the Cabinet Secretary is expected to highlight the Scottish Government’s initiatives to reduce fuel poverty.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Mr Neil said: “As an energy rich nation, the fact that any of our citizens is facing or living in fuel poverty is a disgrace. The Scottish Government has increased its budget this year, in the face of scathing cuts from Westminster, to increase the reach of initiatives to help those in fuel poverty and also to encourage greater energy efficiency.
“Today’s conference is an excellent opportunity for organisations and individuals to come together with solutions to tackle the root causes of fuel poverty. With the onset of winter just round the corner we must do all we can to support those within our communities most in need.”
Delegates from all sectors across Scotland and the UK will hear from a range of speakers including the Department of Energy and Climate Change on the Coalition Government’s plans for a Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation, due to launch next year and shortly out for consultation.
Norman Kerr, Director of Energy Action Scotland said: “With fuel prices at record levels and the number of households in fuel poverty on the increase, we have to take every step possible to make sure this unacceptable problem is dealt with once and for all.
“Discussions at the Energy Action Scotland conference will bring together those working on policy with those delivering practical solutions and, crucially, those dealing every day with people who are living in fuel poverty. Their experiences will help inform our messages to government at all levels.”
Similar Stories
New survey reveals that 3 in 5 UK households are in fuel poverty - 02 February 2012
The wonderful warm world of Westminster - 17 January 2012
From Fission to Fusion - 30 November 2011
Government guilty of breathtaking complacency - 25 November 2011
Meter readings - 23 November 2011
Campaigns & Issues
Lobby for libraries
The NPC officers have given their backing to a lobby being organised by UNISON, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI), Voices for the Library, The Library Campaign, Campaign for the Book and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) which will call on politicians to protect vital library services.
News
WRVS response to Health Committee report on social care
WRVS calls for a decisive leap towards joining up health and social care responding to the Health Select Committee inquiry report.
David McCullough, Chief Executive of WRVS said: “Delivering 21st-century health services will hinge on us switching considerable resources into keeping older people in their own homes and breaking the cycle of isolation that faces many people from their seventies onwards.
Competitions & Fun
Win a signed copy of Citizen James on DVD
CARRY ON’S inimitable Sid James is Citizen James in the hilarious 1960s BBC comedy, which finally comes to DVD for the first time. This long-lost classic comedy series makes its DVD debut, featuring the only known surviving episodes, the complete series one, and two episodes each from series two and three. They will be released as a two-disc set on 6 February 2012 courtesy of Acorn Media.
In series one written by Alan Simpson and Ray Galton (Hancock, Steptoe & Son), Sid (Sid James) is a hard-working layabout, gambler and con-artist, hanging out on the streets of Soho with his sidekick Bill (Bill Kerr), in Charlie’s Nosh Bar and occasionally paying a visit to his long-suffering fiancée Liz (Liz Fraser), to borrow money to pay off his gambling debts and cons gone wrong.
Advertorial
February is travel love month with Silver Travel Advisor
WIN £1,000 CRUISE VOUCHERS WITH VIKING RIVER CRUISES AND MANY OTHER PRIZES
Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50). A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.
February is Travel Love month at Silver Travel Advisor, and there is a whole range of prizes to be found including the star prize:
Viking River Cruises – win £1,000 cruise vouchers
Health & Wellbeing
Scrap the government's health bill, say BMJ readers
More than 90% of British Medical Journal readers responding to a poll published today think the government's health reforms should be scrapped.
The poll asked: "Should the Health and Social Care Bill for England now be withdrawn?"
Property & Finance
Did you miss the Self Assessment deadline?
If you have missed the deadline for submitting a Self Assessment (SA) tax return and you can show that you should not have been in the SA regime in the first place, then you may be able to avoid any penalties.
Lifestyle
Paula's Wines of the Week starting 6 February 2012
If you really like a certain wine, rather than buying it in single cork-stoppered bottles why not get larger four bottle-sized amounts available in boxes? But if stepping along to the supermarket seems like too much of a chilly effort then try the online winebox retailer InspiredWine.co.uk because they’re offering free delivery during February.
There are advantages to buying wine in a winebox. As the wine is dispensed through a plastic tap all the annoyance of the cork is removed: no more tainted 'corked' wine (this spoils at least one in ten traditionally bottled wines due to improperly sterilised corks) and no more chasing around bits of broken cork that always sink when the index finger sent in to oik them out gets anywhere near them.
Travel & Leisure
£15m boost for sustainable travel
Transport Minister Norman Baker today announced £15m of new funding for sustainable travel projects across the country that will promote economic growth and cut carbon.
The investment is in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced in January 2011. This additional funding, heavily geared towards cycling, will support jobs, enhance access to employment and encourage greater use of more environmentally friendly transport.
It’s the best free paper there is! Keep up the good work