Craig Stirrat, group CEO of Grampian Housing Association, argues that the domestic energy crisis in Scotland has evolved into a public health emergency. As householders wait for greater clarity from the Scottish Government on net zero plans, the immediate concern for many families is the cost of keeping homes warm. Despite recent heatwaves, growing numbers of households are anxious about affording heat, cooking meals, and keeping lights on. This is no longer just a utility bill issue. It is part of a wider cost-of-living crisis that contributes to a broader housing and, increasingly, a public health crisis.
The Scale of Unpaid Energy Debts
The scale of the problem should concern policymakers. Ofgem figures show that the total debt and arrears owed by UK domestic gas and electricity customers for more than 91 days rose from £1.086 billion in Q1 2018 to £4.79 billion in Q1 2026. Electricity debt is particularly worrying as public policy encourages a transition towards electrically powered heating. The average electricity debt owed by domestic customers without a repayment arrangement rose from £440 in Q3 2012 to £1,876 in Q1 2026. These figures represent a significant shift in household financial stability over the last decade.
Perhaps even more concerning is the number of households simply going without. Around 1.7 million domestic smart electric prepayment meter customers self-disconnected during Q1 2026. Such figures tend to rise during the winter when energy costs are highest. These are not just statistics. They represent households making impossible choices between heating, food, or other essentials. The data highlights a structural failure in how energy costs are managed for the most vulnerable sections of the population.
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Energy as a Basic Human Need
We traditionally recognise five basic human needs: air, water, food, shelter, and sleep. In modern society, affordable energy has arguably become a sixth basic need. We depend upon it to heat homes, prepare food, heat water, provide lighting, and participate in everyday life. A home may provide shelter, but if the occupant cannot afford the energy required to make it warm, safe, and habitable, that shelter is fundamentally compromised. This shift in dependency changes how we view housing standards and social support systems.
The consequences for health are significant. Research suggests that cold, damp, and mouldy housing contributes to 4,500 to 5,000 preventable excess winter deaths each year. Respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses are among the serious health consequences. Cold homes can also worsen existing medical conditions, while fuel poverty and the anxiety associated with mounting bills can have a damaging effect on mental health and wellbeing. For many, the stress of potential disconnection is as harmful as the cold itself, creating a cycle of poor health and financial instability that is difficult to break.
Investment in housing is not simply investment in bricks and mortar; it can improve lives, prevent illness, and reduce pressure on the public purse. Grampian Housing Association and many other providers have invested significant sums in improving energy efficiency within tenants’ homes. These investments reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. However, the benefits can be undermined when gas and electricity prices continue to rise. Improving a home’s energy efficiency should mean that less energy is required to achieve a comfortable temperature. But if the price of energy rises faster than the savings achieved, households can still face unaffordable bills.
The Challenge of Electrification
This is a critical issue as Scotland moves towards greater use of electric heating. The transition to renewable energy and low-carbon heating offers a significant opportunity to reduce dependence on volatile international gas markets. Investment in renewables is essential if we are to build an energy system that works for both people and the planet. Yet electrification will not command public confidence if households are asked to replace gas heating with electric alternatives while electricity remains unaffordable. The recent experience of council tenants’ use of air-sourced heating systems in “gold” sustainability standard new build homes in Aberdeen is such an example. When the technology works but the bill doesn’t, trust in the transition erodes quickly.
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The structure of energy pricing therefore requires urgent attention. UK households remain heavily exposed to the wholesale price of gas, even as increasing amounts of electricity are generated from lower-cost renewable sources. If the transition to electric heating is to succeed, policymakers must ensure that the benefits of cheaper clean generation are reflected in household bills. This disconnect between generation costs and consumer prices creates a barrier to adoption that efficiency upgrades alone cannot overcome.
Energy affordability challenges also extend beyond those traditionally regarded as vulnerable. In Scotland, significant numbers of households report being unable to heat their homes to a comfortable level or struggling to keep up with energy bills. The pressures are greatest for low-income households, those receiving means-tested benefits, and households affected by disability or long-term health conditions. However, targeting support solely at those receiving benefits risks missing many households under genuine financial pressure. This includes families with high energy use because of medical needs, disability, or household size. The energy crisis is increasingly affecting people in work and households who may not qualify for traditional forms of assistance.
Call for Coordinated Action
Scottish Housing Day should therefore be a call for coordinated action. It must improve energy efficiency while protecting health and wellbeing. And it must recognise that warm, affordable homes are not a luxury. They are fundamental to dignity, health, and security – and an essential investment in Scotland’s future.
