Scotland's Heating Postcode Lottery: Orkney Fuel Poverty More Than Double Edinburgh's
Households in Orkney are more than twice as likely to be in fuel poverty as households in Edinburgh, according to analysis of the latest Scottish Government figures by The Edinburgh Boiler Company. Across 2022 to 2024, the most recent period with council-area data, 51% of Orkney households were in fuel poverty, against 24% in the City of Edinburgh and a Scotland-wide average of 31%. Stirling had the lowest rate at 22%. Eight council areas were statistically significantly above the national average: Orkney Islands (51%), West Dunbartonshire (43%), Na h-Eileanan Siar (40%), Shetland Islands (40%), Dumfries & Galloway (38%), Dundee City (38%), East Ayrshire (38%) and Glasgow City (35%). Scottish Government modelling published in September estimates around 820,000 households, 32% of the total, will be in fuel poverty between October and December, about 20,000 more than in the previous quarter, with around 440,000 households (17%) in extreme fuel poverty. The latest full survey estimate was 28.7% of households (732,000) in 2024, down from 33.9% in 2023, against a 5% target for 2040. A revised Fuel Poverty Strategy is due by December 2026. In 2024, 42% of households using electricity as their main heating fuel were in fuel poverty, compared with 27% of gas households and 23% of oil households. Ofgem's price cap for a typical household rose to £1,723 a year from 1 October, up £60 on the previous quarter. Home Energy Scotland offers a £7,500 grant towards a heat pump, free energy advice, and the Warmer Homes Scotland programme can fully fund improvements for eligible households.
- 51% of Orkney households were in fuel poverty in 2022-2024, against 24% in the City of Edinburgh and a Scotland-wide average of 31%
- Eight council areas are significantly above the national average; Stirling is lowest at 22%
- Scottish Government modelling estimates around 820,000 households (32%) will be in fuel poverty between October and December
- 42% of electrically heated households were in fuel poverty in 2024, against 27% of gas households and 23% of oil households
- Home Energy Scotland offers a £7,500 heat pump grant and free energy advice; Warmer Homes Scotland can fully fund improvements for eligible households
"A household in Orkney is more than twice as likely to be in fuel poverty as one in Edinburgh, and nobody should read that as a rounding error. Edinburgh does better than most, but 24% is still close to one in four homes. The other areas on this list are facing the same winter and the same price rise." - Dougie Bell, Owner, The Edinburgh Boiler Company
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Edinburgh Boiler Company announcing?
Households in Orkney are more than twice as likely to be in fuel poverty as households in Edinburgh, according to analysis of the latest Scottish Government figures by The Edinburgh Boiler Company. Across 2022 to 2024, the most recent period with council-area data, 51% of Orkney households were in fuel poverty, against 24% in the City of Edinburgh and a Scotland-wide average of 31%. Stirling had the lowest rate at 22%. Eight council areas were statistically significantly above the national average: Orkney Islands (51%), West Dunbartonshire (43%), Na h-Eileanan Siar (40%), Shetland Islands (40%), Dumfries & Galloway (38%), Dundee City (38%), East Ayrshire (38%) and Glasgow City (35%). Scottish Government modelling published in September estimates around 820,000 households, 32% of the total, will be in fuel poverty between October and December, about 20,000 more than in the previous quarter, with around 440,000 households (17%) in extreme fuel poverty. The latest full survey estimate was 28.7% of households (732,000) in 2024, down from 33.9% in 2023, against a 5% target for 2040. A revised Fuel Poverty Strategy is due by December 2026. In 2024, 42% of households using electricity as their main heating fuel were in fuel poverty, compared with 27% of gas households and 23% of oil households. Ofgem's price cap for a typical household rose to £1,723 a year from 1 October, up £60 on the previous quarter. Home Energy Scotland offers a £7,500 grant towards a heat pump, free energy advice, and the Warmer Homes Scotland programme can fully fund improvements for eligible households.
When was this announcement made?
This announcement was made on 2026-10-13.
Who should I contact for more information?
For press inquiries, contact Dougie Bell at local@theedinburghboilercompany.com.
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