Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA)

Demography, Older People, and Health

53. Scotland has 93 inhabited islands with a total population of 103,700 (2% of Scotland’s population) as per the 2011 Census^[19]. The population of the islands increased by 4% (3,963) between 2001 and 2011. This reversed a decline in the population of the islands by 3% between the 1991 and 2001.^[20]

54. Remote rural areas have a higher (23%) proportion of older people (65+) than the rest of Scotland (17%).^[21] According to the most recent data from the National Records of Scotland, 26,606 people over the age of 65 live on the Scottish islands^[22] and nearly a third (31%) of the Highlands and Islands population is projected to be aged 65 years or older by 2043.^[23]

55. For males, the life expectancy in remote rural and accessible rural areas is around 79 years, nearly 2 years more than life expectancy in the rest of Scotland. For females, the life expectancy in rural areas is around 83 years, nearly 2 years more than in the rest of Scotland. This difference in life expectancies is consistent with WFP statistics which show that across Na h-Eileanan Siar, Orkney and Shetland islands 7,278 men received WFPs in winter 2021/22 compared to 8,143 women.

56. Research published by Age Scotland in 2022 suggest that 76% of older people are always concerned about paying fuel bills^[24].

57. Whilst people living on islands can experience colder conditions in their home which has been proven to impact on health, according to the 2011 Census, 83% of island residents reported their health as being ‘very good’ or ‘good’ compared with 82% for Scotland as a whole. The proportion of island residents with a long-term (lasting 12 months or more) health problem or disability that limited their day-to-day activities was just under 20%, including 9% who reported their daily activities were limited ‘a lot’ was also very similar to the proportions for Scotland as a whole^[25].

58. We acknowledge that older people have an increased need for heat and that they therefore may require additional support to meet the increased heating costs during winter. The UK Government decision means it is not possible to extend the payment on a universal basis but, even if the resources were available to do so, it would not be practicable to make payments this winter other than on the basis of the revised eligibility criteria set out in the regulations.

59. PAWHP will offer support to people of state pension age in receipt of relevant low income benefits each winter, including those living in island communities.