Fuel poverty in remote and rural Scotland: focus group analysis

As a part of their 2024/2025 workplan's focus on remote and rural fuel poverty, the Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel collaborated with ALIenergy, Scarf, and Tighean Innse Gall (TIG) to carry out focus groups with people experiencing fuel poverty in remote and rural areas of Scotland.

Fuel poverty in remote and rural Scotland: focus group analysis.pdf

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Theme two: rural fuel poverty since the COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living and energy crisis

Across focus groups held in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeenshire, and Perth and Kinross, participants discussed the particular challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis has presented for them. Participants in the Western Isles, however, felt that they have always struggled with heating costs and that blaming cost of living or COVID was a “bit of a get out clause”. One participant said:

“there is no difference it has always been a struggle, yes the price has increased which has had an effect the last two years however it feels like a free for all for the utility companies.”

As such, the majority of the below discussion of the energy crisis and COVID-19 pandemic comes from the Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeenshire, and Perth and Kinross focus groups.

Energy usage during the COVID-19 pandemic

Participants across many of the groups felt that their usage had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic because they were at home more and naturally using more energy, often with less money coming in. Some participants continue to work from home and their energy usage therefore remains higher than pre-COVID levels. Other participants who were not in work did not think their energy usage increased during the pandemic.

Some participants with children discussed the financial challenges that having their children home from school caused. One participant discussed how she had to heat her home more because she “couldn’t have [her] kids being cold”. Energy wasn’t the only increased cost, and this participant explained how she also struggled with food costs:

“food costs increased because I no longer had access to school meals, but the kids wanted snacks more often.”

Home schooling meant more electricity was being used – not just from heating but because children were doing online learning from home. Furthermore, devices that would normally be used and charged at work were now being plugged in at home as people were increasingly encouraged to work from home.

In one focus group it was flagged that participants who have pre-payment meters needed to top up larger amounts to avoid going out too much, so they had to plan more carefully.

As costs increased, and in some cases income declined, some participants sought coping mechanisms such as self rationing and disconnection as a way to manage. Some participants stopped using their gas as they couldn’t afford to use both gas and electricity. Others switched off their storage heaters as they couldn’t afford to run them.

Participants discussed the long term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some built up debt, and found it harder to get help as a result of the pandemic. This debt has been worsened by the energy crisis and, for many, is still a major issue today. In one focus group, participants who live in social housing discussed how they did not have the benefit of “mortgage holidays” during the pandemic, as was the case for some home owners. They built up rent arrears, which are still being dealt with today. Finally, participants in one focus group discussed the impact struggling to pay their energy bills during the pandemic had on their mental health.

Energy usage during the energy crisis

Across the board participants have struggled during the energy crisis, and it was evident that the same issues affected everyone, no matter their financial position. Participants felt strongly that the energy crisis is not over, highlighting that they cannot afford to heat their homes sufficiently. Many are using Calor gas fires instead of expensive storage heaters, and some have not had any heating all winter. One participant said:

“We are just getting by then the costs go up again and we have no idea where the money is going to come from.”

Participants highlighted a lack of help to cover emergency costs. Energy costs remain high but there is now no Energy Bills Support Scheme. Participants in one focus group flagged that any kind of emergency credit/friendly credit/loans from energy companies ultimately put people into or deepened debt which they are still dealing with. Participants also felt that debt repayments set by suppliers are too high and unaffordable. There is no way out of debt as participants struggle to pay for what they are using, let alone trying to clear debt as well. It was emphasised that energy suppliers have little concept of how little people on certain benefits have to live on and energy companies’ customer service has been unhelpful to participants. Issues with energy companies were exacerbated during the energy crisis as participants could not switch suppliers.

Participants in one focus group discussed the unfair treatment by energy companies of customers who do not want to pay via direct debit. One participant said:

“Attitudes need to change for people who are not on direct debit and therefore pay more for it [their energy]. I don’t want to pay direct debit as I do not trust the utility company not to increase my direct debit without me knowing. The control that utility companies have is wrong and needs to be corrected.”

Participants discussed various coping mechanisms which they’ve used through the energy crisis:

  • Warm spaces – participants in one focus group discussed how they rely on warm space but as a result of local authority budget cuts, participants are fearful of them being closed
  • Participants often have to choose between heating and eating, and food bank usage is high. One participant said: “I can’t go back to work as childcare costs are so high so I would be working for nothing and not being with my kids. We must rely on my partner’s income alone. We have had to limit ourselves to one meal a day in the past so that our children can eat.”
  • One participant discussed planning their meals in order to save money on energy by, for example, cooking something quick
  • Participants receive support from the third sector but some felt that the sector is relied on too heavily
  • Participants in Lairg said that the District Community Trust[3] there provides £250 fuel vouchers
  • Participants in one focus group described being hypervigilant about the electricity they use – turning off lights and using candles instead
  • Participants in one groups said that they have started using their washing machines and other white goods at night, during off peak electricity rates. They have concerns over fire risks doing this, but felt they have no choice
  • Participants in multiple focus groups discussed who they live in one room and heat themselves using blankets, extra clothes, hot water bottles and hot drinks.
  • One participant stated that sometimes they steal small items to sell for cash in order to top up their electricity meter
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