The Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel responds to Ofgem and UK Government consultations

The Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel has responded to consultations by Ofgem on the Radio Teleswitch Service switch off (RTS) and by the UK Government on expanding the Warm Homes Discount Scheme (WHD).

The Panel has voiced its concern to Ofgem that the approach taken to the RTS switch off has the potential to deepen fuel poverty for those already experiencing it and push more people into fuel poverty, and urges Ofgem to ensure that no customer is left without a supply of heating and hot water post-switch off.

The Panel sees the UK Government’s proposed expansion of eligibility for WHD, by removing the high-cost-to-heat threshold in the current WHD and increasing the level of spend available in Scotland, as a beneficial interim step in providing a foundation for wider reform from 2026. The Panel would like to see automatic eligibility, a feature of the England & Wales’ scheme, now introduced in Scotland and an expansion of eligibility to include those on low incomes and carers, who are not in receipt of means tested benefits or tax credits. Looking beyond 25-26, the Panel has again highlighted its recommendations on the introduction of a targeted, flexible, and dynamic discount mechanism (social tariff) to replace the WHD.