Scottish Labour Debate: Supporting Local Communities

Alex Rowley S5M-02504 That the Parliament welcomes the reports by the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force; notes that 845,000 households in Scotland remain in fuel poverty and that, since 2003, that number has doubled; agrees with the call from Energy Action Scotland for the Scottish Government to reset its target to eradicate fuel poverty; calls on the Scottish Government to bring forward warm homes legislation in 2017 to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency; believes that substantial energy efficiency improvements can be made in the private rented and owner occupier sectors, and that consultation on point of transaction standards must now begin; notes that new powers over the Energy Company Obligation and Winter Fuel payments will bring new opportunities to meet an eradication target, and recognises that a timetable for an effective eradication strategy should be published. Angela Constance S5M-02504.3 As an amendment to motion S5M-02504 in the name of Alex Rowley (Supporting Local Communities), leave out from “a timetable” to end and insert “the two reports have over 100 recommendations, which should be carefully considered as part of a new effective eradication strategy to be published in 2017.” S5M-02504.1 Adam Tomkins: Supporting Local Communities As an amendment to motion S5M-02504 in the name of Alex Rowley (Supporting Local Communities), after first “energy efficiency;” insert “considers that the Scottish Government should set out a clear timetable and target for all properties to reach at least an EPC C rating; notes that this will require close cooperation with local authorities and businesses;”. Andy Wightman S5M-02504.2 As an amendment to motion S5M-02504 in the name of Alex Rowley (Supporting Local Communities), insert at end "; notes the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2016-17 proposal to commit more than £125 million per year over the current parliamentary session, but believes that this falls well short of what is required to deliver the warm homes, better health, fewer emissions, reduced energy bills and more jobs promised by the new National Infrastructure Priority approach, and calls on the Scottish Government to increase funding in the Scottish budget for 2016-17, as part of a progressive long-term increasing of the fuel poverty-energy efficiency budget."