Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is calling for greater investment in energy efficiency measures after demand for online advice soared as the weather turned colder.
The number of visitors to the charity’s online advice page, ‘Grants and Benefits to help you pay your energy bills’, have soared by 136 per cent since September, going from 581 page views to 1,372 in November.
The figures come as it is revealed that one in four households across Scotland - over 600,000 - are living in fuel poverty.
There is also an increasing number of homes in extreme fuel poverty. A household is defined as being in ‘extreme fuel poverty’ if it spends more than a fifth of its income on energy costs and it still cannot afford sufficient heating plus an acceptable standard of living.
Scottish Government predictions estimate that fuel poverty figures could rise to 29 per cent across the country due to the ongoing economic impact of Covid-19.
CAS is calling for greater investment in energy efficiency measures and encouraging people to seek help and support with their bills.
CAS Fair Markets spokesperson Kate Morrison said: “As the weather turned colder, increasing numbers of people checked our online advice for help paying their energy bills.
“This could be the tip of the iceberg, with Covid-19 potentially leading to an increase in fuel poverty as more people struggle to heat their homes.”
In November, CAS launched an online ‘Money Map’ to help people who have taken a Covid hit to their finances.
The unique tool can be found at www.moneymap.scot and brings together all the options for people to help improve their incomes and reduce their living costs and covers housing, benefits and energy bills. It then directs users to relevant online websites where they can access further support.
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