'Serious action' needed as rural areas struggle with fuel poverty
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Jamie Stone is calling on the UK government to take "serious action" as rural areas continue to struggle with the impact of fuel poverty.
The MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross says it makes no sense that, in a part of the country which generates so much renewable energy, "we do not benefit from it".
He was speaking on Fuel Poverty Awareness Day as he highlighted a joint report by NHS Highland and the University of the Highlands and Islands for an inquiry into the cost of living in Scotland's rural communities.
"On this day, we must remind ourselves of the very basic facts of living in this part of the world," Mr Stone said.
"Those living in rural households are more likely to spend over £100 per month on fuel for their cars than households in the rest of Scotland – an unavoidable cost when living in such a remote area with very poor public transport connections.
"Rural areas on the whole have less energy-efficient housing than the rest of Scotland.
"And in remote places like the Highlands, 33 per cent of households are in extreme fuel poverty, compared with 12 per cent in 'accessible rural areas' and 11 per cent in the rest of Scotland.
"These facts have been true since before the cost-of-living crisis, and they will continue to be true long after if the government does not get its act together."
The Liberal Democrat MP added: "It does not make sense to me that, in a place which suffers from such extreme weather, we do not have adequate provision for it. It does not make sense to me that, in a place which generates so much renewable energy, we do not benefit from it.
"It is high time the government took a close look at the situation in the Highlands and took serious action."
Earlier this year NHS Highland and University of the Highlands and Islands provided written evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee on the cost of living and its impact on rural communities in Scotland.
It noted that a higher proportion of older people live in rural Scotland, particularly in "remote rural" areas; that those in rural areas are less likely to live within 15 minutes’ drive of key services; and that people in rural areas are more likely to drive to work or education.
The report stated: "In remote areas cars are often essential rather than a luxury as it is impossible to effectively use public transport systems. Fuel for cars is often more expensive, second-hand car prices are generally higher, and there is little access to electric charging points and a limited range of electric cars, which also do not perform as efficiently in the hilly terrain in the north-west of Scotland.
"The higher than average cost of travel to amenities such as local food shops, GP, etc, mounts up over time. There is little price competition for local services in remote areas. Some online companies charge extra to deliver to the Highlands and Islands and anecdotally there are instances where there have been higher broadband costs."
It added: "There is a long-standing view that investment in high-quality infrastructure is a key method of reducing poverty. On that basis, there is a strong case for investing in good road and rail infrastructure and for the rollout of rural broadband."
