Scotland is at a critical moment. As we look ahead to the 2026 election, too many households are still dealing with cold, poor-quality homes and high energy bills. The next Scottish Government urgently needs to respond.
Fuel poverty is unacceptably high. The most recent Scottish Government survey into housing conditions estimates around 29% of Scottish Households live in fuel poverty. Likewise, a Changeworks survey showed that 50% of Scots say their homes are cold, with over a third (37%) very concerned about being able to afford their energy bills this winter.
That is why social enterprise Changeworks is calling on Scotland’s political party leaders to commit to making sure everyone in Scotland can live in an affordably warm, healthy home.
Our recent open letter sets out clear, achievable actions that will help address this key issue.
Firstly, we are asking the next Scottish Government to support households by committing to a Fuel Poverty Strategy that includes clear, measurable targets.
Our next ask is about policy. The Climate Change Committee recently found that Scotland’s targets are achievable to meet its first ‘carbon budget’ within current plans. However, policy ambition urgently needs to be translated into real world delivery.
Leadership and opportunity
The next Scottish Government needs to show leadership and seize this opportunity. Clear regulation and long-term funding is needed to decarbonise homes, making them more energy efficient and switching to sustainable technologies. Not only will this make home heating more affordable for Scots, but it would address climate change through lowering harmful carbon emissions from homes, which make up around 13% of Scotland’s carbon emissions.
Climate change is already impacting households across Scotland, through extreme weather events, coastal erosion and flooding.
Scotland’s energy advice services provide vital help to households, but need Government level support and sustained investment. These services are a lifeline for households facing high energy costs, cold homes and poor health exacerbated by energy inefficient, draughty homes with damp and mould.
Dealing with energy debt and high energy bills can also lead to or exacerbate mental health issues due to stress. Changeworks found that 64% of Scots are very concerned about health problems linked to cold or poorly insulated homes, with 73% concerned about high energy costs.
As an example, Hannah, one of the householders supported through Changeworks’ services and who struggles with poor mental health, was charged with a Court Order for energy debt of over £19,000 at a previous address. The stress of the situation meant she was unable to engage with support services to help her manage her health. Our advisors advocated for her, and proved the debt was not Hannah’s. This has resulted in improvements in Hannah’s wellbeing and ability to live in an affordably warm home.
We ask the next Scottish Government to continue to fund and expand these services to provide the support needed. The next Scottish Government faces a challenge to carefully manage budgets. Our ask is that funding is maintained in line with inflation. This will give the sector confidence to continue to invest in the jobs, programmes and innovations to support their mission.
Read our open letter to Scotland’s political leaders
Work with UK Government to make electricity prices fair
We also ask the next Scottish Government to work with the UK Government to make electricity prices fair. Currently, many low-income households pay more for heating, as they live with older heating systems (such as storage heaters). Reducing electricity costs would support these households directly, whilst unlocking the saving potential of clean heating systems, such as heat pumps.
These changes are an opportunity for the next Scottish Government to invest in fair, quality work opportunities for Scots. A just transition requires high-quality, secure, and equitable green jobs that ensure no one is left behind. We need an inclusive approach that ensures workers, communities, and vulnerable groups are active participants and beneficiaries of Scotland’s energy transition.
We ask the next Scottish Government to build on the skills development and community benefits already underway, and support businesses within the sector to do this with clear regulation and funding.
Scotland has the expertise, experience and public support to lead the way. The next Scottish Government must seize these opportunities and commit to a long term, properly funded plan that benefits households across Scotland.