West Lothian Households Face Winter Fuel Poverty

In West Lothian, nearly 18% of households are facing fuel poverty as winter approaches, with 9% in extreme fuel poverty, according to a report presented to local councillors. The report highlights a troubling trend where many families are trapped in a cycle of debt due to rising energy costs, exacerbating their financial struggles. The Fuel Poverty Act 2019 aimed to eliminate fuel poverty in Scotland by 2040, yet current trends suggest these goals may be unattainable given the significant increase in energy prices. Councillor Nahid Hanif noted that many households have accumulated substantial arrears on their energy bills. In Brighton and Hove, 13.2% of households, or about 16,527, are also living in fuel poverty, surpassing regional averages; the local council has outlined a plan to tackle this issue. Both regions illustrate the growing crisis of fuel poverty as energy costs continue to rise.