NO ONE in Scotland should be living in cold homes by 2025, according to an alliance of more than 50 civic organisations.
The Church of Scotland and Federation of Master Builders are amongst those demanding that the Scottish Government ensures all homes are upgraded to improve energy efficiency and cut fuel poverty and ill-health.
Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo’s Scotland added: “Too many children across Scotland are growing up in cold homes, with fuel poverty affecting four in every 10 households.
“This more than doubles their chances of suffering respiratory conditions like asthma, as well as impacting adversely on mental health, educational attainment and emotional wellbeing. "Supporting all homes to reach a C standard will improve the physical and emotional health of families across Scotland and help to improve the life chances of Scotland’s most vulnerable children.”
The call comes after the Scottish Government announced plans to make home energy-efficiency a national infrastructure priority.
Alan Ferguson of the Existing Homes Alliance said this was “vital” in tackling deprivation and climate change, adding: “We now need to see concrete proposals and clear goals from the Scottish Government to make this happen.
“These should include a goal of helping all homes reach a C energy performance standard by 2025, and a commitment to major long-term funding to support investment in energy efficiency.”
STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said: “Improving the energy efficiency of Scotland’s homes is a huge opportunity to build a stronger economy and a more just Scotland.
“Research shows that bringing all homes up to at least a C energy performance standard would create 8-9,000 jobs a year distributed across communities in Scotland, new training and skills development opportunities and offer an excellent return on investment in generating employment and economic growth compared to other infrastructure investments.”
Green MSP Alison Johnstone said: “This call is very welcome and shows the need for government to go further and faster to tackle the blight of Scotland’s draughty, unhealthy homes.
“During discussions on the 2015-16 budget Scottish Greens pressed for action, resulting in an extra £20 million for fuel poverty measures. This was welcome but still way below what is required. Forty per cent of Scottish households are in fuel poverty.”
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