SFHA reports on ongoing impact of energy crisis

Following the First Minister’s summit with energy providers and third sector representatives earlier in the week, and with Ofgem’s announcement on the October price cap expected on 26 August, SFHA has been gathering evidence on the ongoing impact of the energy crisis as part of regular forum meetings, surveys, roundtables on specific topics and through individual correspondence with members.

Our previous submission to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee in May 2022 outlined the impact of rising energy prices on the social housing sector, highlighting regional disparities and groups who are at particular at risk of fuel poverty. However, the direct financial impact of spiralling energy costs are also coupled with the consequences arising from the failure of the energy market. A summary of the key concerns is provided in the more detailed briefing and in our separate briefing on the impact for supported and sheltered housing providers.

We welcome the commitments following the First Minister’s energy summit on 23 August, including consideration of further support for households and businesses. While we await decisions on the future of the price cap and any other interventions from the UK Government, some immediate progress is needed to resolve the practical barriers being faced by our members, including:

addressing barriers to meter installations/replacements
streamlined communication between social landlord and energy suppliers
protections for commercial utility contracts
addressing barriers to retrofit
managing the transition for restricted meters
improving access to wider energy advice services.

We are calling for the Scottish Government to assist social landlords in overcoming these challenges by facilitating and supporting discussions with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Ofgem and Energy UK to ensure the full range of regulatory levers are being used to hold suppliers to account on their social responsibilities.