Scotland's Care Policy Scorecard

Care holds Scotland together, yet it is often undervalued.
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Indicator 4A.1. Access to energy efficiency schemes

50%

Summary

Energy efficiency schemes are intended to reduce energy costs and improve home comfort, which is essential for both paid and unpaid carers and the people they support. Scotland has a range of schemes, but data gaps make it difficult to understand who benefits. Rising energy costs have placed particular pressure on women, unpaid carers and disabled people, many of whom already experience higher levels of fuel poverty.
Performance Bands Very limited progress 0-25% Early-stage development 26-50% Developing policy 51-75% Well-developed or transformative 76-100%

Section Scores

Accessibility and reach 50% Budget and administration 60% Regulation and monitoring 50% Design and impact 25%
Performance Bands Very limited progress 0-25% Early-stage development 26-50% Developing policy 51-75% Well-developed or transformative 76-100%

What this indicator measures

This indicator assesses Scotland’s energy efficiency schemes and how effectively they support households with caring responsibilities. It considers targeting, accessibility, budget provision, monitoring systems and the extent to which policies address the specific needs of carers and low-income households.

Key findings

  • Scotland has multiple energy efficiency schemes, including national and area based programmes
  • Investment has increased, with significant public funding committed to reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency
  • Despite targeting based on fuel poverty, data limitations make it difficult to assess impact, including for women, unpaid carers and disabled people
  • Delivery varies across local authorities
  • Policy design does not explicitly account for unpaid care, despite higher energy demands in caring households
  • Rising energy prices have intensified pressures on families already experiencing financial strain

Impacts on families

Energy costs create significant pressure for low-income households and those with caring responsibilities. Carers may need to heat homes for longer periods or run additional appliances to support people with specific needs. When support is inaccessible or insufficient, households face difficult financial decisions that affect health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Accessibility considerations

Policy design should have given particular consideration to the experience of disabled people and carers living in rural Scotland who may have greater fuel needs, but less choice in available fuel sources. Without disaggregated data, it is difficult to ensure support reaches all who need it.

Budget context

The Scottish Government has committed substantial investment, but transparency around how funds are distributed and used is limited. Local variation in delivery and unclear budget pathways reduce confidence in sufficiency of funding. Without comprehensive evaluation, it is difficult to understand whether investment aligns with need.

Overall interpretation

Energy efficiency schemes offer potential to reduce costs and improve living conditions for carers and the people they support. However, gaps in monitoring, design and delivery limit impact. Better data, stronger targeting and explicit consideration of caring responsibilities are needed to ensure schemes reach all those affected by high energy costs, particularly women and low-income households.

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