![]() One of the things that we see in that research is that how a lot of people use their heating has a big impact on their heating bills. We know that there are high levels of fuel poverty among people who have electric heating because of high costs. In the past year, we have carried out a lot of research into the support needs of people who are in fuel poverty, particularly the forms of support that people who rely on electric heating require. ![]() I will give a bit of insight into the impact of behaviour change. It is a complex interaction and, just because we sort one element, that does not mean that the others will fall into line. You are allowed to make one pun per visit. The more energy efficient the home, the less energy it will use. However, given that fuel prices continue to increase, we need to-pardon the pun-insulate homes against rising costs. Scottish Government statistics have shown that increasing income has a better outcome than increasing energy efficiency in the shorter term. We have seen energy efficiency levels rise over a period of time. The measurement of energy efficiency across Scotland has been drawn from the Scottish house condition survey. The extent to which how energy is used in the home is a contributory factor has not been well measured or defined, although we know that behaviour change can reduce bills by around 10 per cent if people amend how they use appliances or set their heating. We have only really started to consider the fourth driver within the past year or two. We have mainly talked about three drivers. What is your view on the main drivers of fuel poverty and the degree to which each driver contributes to overall fuel poverty rates and levels? Norman Kerr (Energy Action Scotland) ![]() I welcome today’s witnesses: Elizabeth Leighton, director of the Existing Homes Alliance Scotland Craig Salter, a policy officer at Citizens Advice Scotland Linda Corbett, an energy adviser at East Ayrshire citizens advice bureau Norman Kerr, director of Energy Action Scotland and Dion Alexander, the chairman of the Highlands and Islands housing associations affordable warmth group. Today is the first day of stage 1 of the Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill, and we will be taking evidence on the bill from now until the end of December before reporting to Parliament early in the new year. We are grateful that so many people took the time to come to meet us on Monday. ![]() Alongside hearing from experts such as the witnesses we have before us today, we also hear from those who have lived experience. Before we begin item 3, I put on the record my thanks to all those people who came to meet us at Lochee community hub in Dundee to talk about their experiences of fuel poverty. ![]()
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