With Scottish Government estimates that fuel poverty has risen to a shocking 29% of households in Scotland due to Covid-19, Energy Action Scotland has galvanised the support of its members and the general public to help struggling families eat hot food this winter.

In a year like no other, families are facing a winter of hardship stuck in hard to heat homes struggling after job losses and months of reduced working hours. A catastrophic increase in the number of people struggling to afford their energy needs will have a grievous effect on the health and wellbeing for hundreds of thousands of people this year.

Energy Action Scotland launched a successful crowdfunder to pay for pressure cookers and partnered up with Gary Maclean, National Chef of Scotland and Masterchef The Professionals Champion, to help families cook hot food at a time when so many services and amenities are closed.

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Supported by Warmworks Scotland and A.C.Whyte, Energy Action Scotland and Gary Maclean are launching freely available ‘how to’ videos that will help struggling families reduce energy bills by cooking in a pressure cooker funded by our JustGiving appeal.

Gary Maclean is a multi-award-winning chef who has run the kitchens at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art and the Burrell Collection and has held executive chef positions at two of Scotland’s biggest independent operators. Gary went on to win Masterchef The Professionals in 2016 and was then announced as Scotland's first ever National Chef in 2018.

As a Dad of five, Gary is a huge fan of pressure cookers which he uses daily as he works and feeds his family in Glasgow. He said,

 “When I am out doing demonstrations I tell people who love their slow cookers to do exactly what they do but in pressure cooker to get the best possible flavour but in half an hour. I make Scotch Broth in half an hour and sauté the vegetables in the pot to release the sugars out of the vegetables to get the most flavour.

“It also reduces the use of other appliances so you don’t have to switch the gas on to heat a pot as part of the process so there are less dishes and it uses less energy. This isn’t a gadget; it’s a tool because I use it every day.”

Dundee has one of the highest fuel poverty rates in Scotland. Hillcrest Homes know only too well how hard life is for many of their tenants and have joined EAS to provide pressure cookers to those most in need.

Frazer Scott, CEO of Energy Action Scotland said,

“People need a hand up, to be able to live their lives well without stigma and sanction. It is a national disgrace that people in Scotland live in fuel poverty. The level is now almost double that in England and isn’t improving. This year it is taking a huge step backwards because we have failed to do enough to make a difference.  

“Local, trusted organisations are the vital fabric of society and they are helping those in most need and we are here to help them. If you can, please support our campaign. Energy efficient appliances can release the pressure and enable people to wash to cook and to clean. Together with Hillcrest we are helping people heat and eat this winter”

To support our JustGiving crowdfunder appeal visit  https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/warmfoodwinter

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