Energy Efficient Scotland: equality impact assessment

21. Fairer Scotland Duty

21.1. With regard to the main aims of the Fairer Scotland Duty, the Programme mainly affects those issues around poverty ie low income and low wealth. Overall the Programme will act to reduce inequalities, particularly the incidence of fuel poverty (as referenced throughout the EQIA). The Programme will improve energy efficiency and reduce spend on energy bills, helping to reduce the incidence of fuel poverty, and ensure that households can more easily heat their homes (where they may not have been able to do so previously). The Programme proposes a mandatory regulatory framework to require improvement over the long term. Ministers have committed to continuing to provide grant support to those households in fuel poverty, helping them meet required standards.

21.2. The Programme will have a positive effect on inequalities, by improving the homes of people across Scotland and continue to provide support to households in fuel poverty to do this. This will help ensure that people have access to good quality warm homes, and help to ensure they have affordable fuel bills.