Dundee’s housing convener has slammed rocketing energy prices.
Almost half of the city’s households are suffering from fuel poverty, according to the latest figures.
Statistics from the Scottish House Conditions Survey show 42% of households in Dundee are living on a lower income in a home which cannot be kept warm at reasonable cost, higher than the Scottish average of 40%.
Dundee is to benefit from £2 million of Scottish Government Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland funding next year, which will help insulate homes in the city.
John Alexander, convener of Dundee City Council’s housing committee, said: “I am disappointed that fuel poverty continues to affect so many households in the city, mostly as a result of the high cost of fuel.
“Prices went up 7% cent in 2013 and have gone up six times faster than income over the same period.
“Meanwhile, household incomes have remained largely static or gone down because of the changes to welfare benefits.
“As a council we are doing all we can to help to tackle fuel poverty by installing energy efficiency measures such as insulating homes, resolving fuel debt and maximising household income.
“In partnership with the Scottish Government and Scottish Gas, we have harnessed over £8m of eco funding to install district heating and insulation schemes to four blocks of multi-storeys at Dallfield and six blocks in Lochee.
“Working in partnership with the Scottish Government and SSE, we are using £3.5m of Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland money to put in external wall insulation programmes at 600 council and privately-owned tenements and four in block properties including sites at Lawton, Graham Street, Arklay Street, Hilltown and Clepington Road.
“Our Dundee Energy Efficiency Advice Project provides help to households across the city to resolve fuel debt, get the warm homes discount and have any fuel debt written off,” added Mr Alexander.