A RANGE of agencies, charities and companies from across the country came together at a conference in Peebles to discuss ways of tackling fuel poverty.

The conference, entitled ‘Turning up the heat on fuel poverty’ examined the progress being made to assist vulnerable people and the changes needed to solve the problem of expensive to heat homes.

Opening the discussion was the Minister for Housing and Welfare, Margaret Burgess MSP. Speaking at the conference last week, she said: "Tackling inequality is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s commitment to creating a fairer country for all and we remain committed to tackling fuel poverty.

“The new Warmer Homes Scotland scheme, worth up to £224 million over the next 7 years, will help as many as 28,000 Scots heat their homes. Through this scheme, we will deliver the best possible help to thousands of people who are blighted by fuel poverty, struggling to keep their homes warm and pay their energy bills.”

The event was organised by the national charity Energy Action Scotland and its Director, Norman Kerr told delegates: “Making sure that people can afford the basic right of living in a warm home is our key objective.

“We are inviting the Minister and her colleagues in government to tap into the knowledge, practical experience and technical solutions that those working in the fuel poverty field – and indeed people experiencing fuel poverty – can bring forward to end the blight of this problem in Scotland.”

Also amongst the speakers was David Manning, Director of Stakeholder Relations at the gas distribution company SGN who said of the conference: “It’s an opportunity for us to share some of the things we’re doing as a company to help alleviate fuel poverty whether on or off the gas grid.”