Edinburgh energy advisers crowned as fuel poverty ‘Heroes’
Two energy advisors from Edinburgh based People for Places Scotland have been recognised as ‘Fuel Poverty Heroes’.
Simon Hay and Alexis Lopez Gonzalez were recognised for their work in helping more than 350 people out of fuel poverty over the past year by campaigners Energy Action Scotland.
They assisted social tenants with addressing, reducing, and removing debt which has made a life changing difference to their quality of life.
People for Places Scotland is part of the country’s largest social enterprise, a network of over 20 housing providers, developers, property managers and care providers they manage more than 10,000 homes in Scotland.
‘Through sheer hard work, determination and resilience Simon and Alexis have secured tremendous outcomes for people in some of the most difficult of circumstances,’ said Energy Action Scotland chief executive, Frazer Scott
‘Our sector, our members individually and collectively provide incredible service to people. Armed with knowledge, experience, drive and a clear sense of right from wrong these people save lives on a daily basis.
‘It is an unwelcome sign of the times that we received the highest ever number of nominations for this year’s Fuel Poverty Awards, it shows how much work is going on to help desperate people.’
Latest figures from Scottish Government, show that fuel poverty rates in Scotland are now 31%, well above the 2019 figure of 24%. Fuel poverty happens when household is spending more than 10% of their income on energy – after housing costs have been deducted.
Energy Action Scotland’s annual awards are an opportunity for the national organisation – which campaigns to raise awareness of fuel poverty and lobby the Scottish Government to make positive changes – to recognise those across Scotland that have made significant impacts in combating fuel poverty.
The awards were presented at their annual conference in Glasgow.
Picture shows: Simon receives the awards on behalf of People for laces Scotland from Energy Action Scotland (EAS) chief executive, Frazer Scott and EAS Trustee Liz Marquis.
Editors Notes
- Energy Action Scotland (EAS) campaigns for an end to fuel poverty in Scotland and is the only national charity with this sole remit.
- EAS aims to develop and promote effective solutions to the problem of cold,
damp and expensive to heat homes. - Energy Action Scotland is raising £10,000 to provide essential warmth for
vulnerable people and their families struggling to heat their homes this winter. Please donate here to help buy items like duvets, hot water bottles and flasks to help keep vulnerable people warm this winter. - The Scottish Government published its latest Fuel Poverty Strategy on December 23, 2021
- The most recent Scottish House Condition Survey found that in 2022 31% of households in Scotland were in fuel poverty. Scottish Government estimates referenced on its Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel website for the period to end June 2024 confirmed 31%. Higher energy costs at 1 October 2024 and the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment/Pension Age Winter Heating Payment mean that this is an underestimate.
- The Scottish Government target of reducing fuel poverty is for it to be to no more than 15% by 2030 and 5% by 2040
- More about Places for People at placesforpeople.co.uk