Draft plan consultation opens

Fuel banks are dealing with issues of fuel poverty across parts of Scotland.

The report was approved by the board of NHS Western Isles, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Community Planning Partnership in the Autumn of 2019.

The impact of Covid-19 on the 2019-20 plan has been considerable in terms of the needs of communities, families and individuals as well as the service priorities for the Comhairle, Health Board and community partners. The delivery update considers this impact on child poverty.

Around 3,100 residents, or 24% of the working age population were furloughed in August. In addition to this, 700 individuals in the islands had made claims to the self-employment scheme, with claims amounting to an estimated total value of £1.7m. Applications for Universal Credit in the Outer Hebrides had increased threefold (from 350 to 870) as a result of COVID-19.

Fuel poverty is another area of specific concern to the islands. The most recent Scottish Government figures show that 36% of all households in the Outer Hebrides are in fuel poverty (approximately 3000 houses). This is the highest figure in Scotland. The Scottish average is 25%.

Any comments should be sent to the OHCPP Secretariat: Steven Ferguson: [email protected].

The draft can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/3gQZ665