Ruchazie Housing Association helping release pressure for families in fuel poverty
Fuel poverty is defined by the Scottish Government as any household spending more than 10% of their income on energy - after housing costs have been deducted.
Scotland’s national chef, Gary Maclean, is backing a new campaign to help families struggling with rising fuel bills by providing tasty ways of keeping costs down. Masterchef: The Professionals champion, Gary, has teamed up with fuel poverty champions Energy Action Scotland, and Ruchazie Housing Association to supply energy efficient pressure cookers that could save families as much as 70% on their cooking bills.
Energy Action Scotland (EAS) is now on the lookout for more local housing associations to help distribute more cookers to people living in fuel poverty in the city.
Fuel poverty is defined by the Scottish Government as any household spending more than 10% of their income on energy - after housing costs have been deducted.
EAS Chief Executive Frazer Scott said: “It is estimated that over 25% of households in the country are living in fuel poverty. To address this, we need to be taking small steps as well as large ones, getting families to think about how and what they cook is one way of making a positive contribution to keeping bills down, putting more money in people’s pockets and improving health.”
Gary has come up with a few recipes families can try out using their new cookers and has recorded some lock-down cooking lessons that can be viewed online as well.
He said: “I am a big fan of cooking with a pressure cooker. They are great for keeping in flavour and reducing cooking time. I was shocked at the fuel poverty statistics, so was delighted to get involved with this campaign that will not only help families reduce their bills, but also gives me a chance to encourage them to cook healthier meals as well.”
Ruchazie Housing Association, who are based in the North East of Glasgow and provide homes for 225 families have welcomed the initiative.
Director Janice Shields said: “Throughout this pandemic, one of our key aims was to support all of our tenants to stay safe and warm in their homes. The pandemic has meant families are spending more time at home and their energy costs rising as a result.
“As well as distributing funding to support fuel costs, by purchasing these pots, with funding made available from The Glasgow West of Scotland Forum, we have been able to support our tenants in helping to reduce energy costs, all of which benefits our tenants who may already experience financial hardship.”
Any social housing provider in the city who thinks they have tenants who could benefit from a low energy pressure cooker should contact frazer.scott@eas.org.uk