Almost four in ten older households in Glasgow are in fuel poverty.

The Scottish Government is considering increasing the age at which people are deemed to be vulnerable to cold related illnesses from 60 to between 75 and 80.

It means financial measures to help make homes more energy efficient will be targeted at younger people.

The increase is a concern to Glasgow City Council who argue that lower life expectancy in the city should be taken into account.

The council has told MSPs that the rate of fuel poverty is far higher among older people than younger families where 27% are in fuel poverty.

In a statement to the Local Government Committee the council said: “The change in the demographic profile away from older households to younger households and families in social rented and private rented sectors is a concern in Glasgow.

“The Council is extremely concerned by the change in the vulnerability age threshold from 60 to 75 as the life expectancy for Glasgow residents is much lower despite improvements in life expectancy for men and women in the last 15 years”.

The new Fuel Poverty Bill defines fuel poverty as spending more than 10% of household net income after deducting housing costs and the remaining household net income after the payment of fuel costs and childcare costs must also be insufficient to maintain an acceptable standard of living for the household.

James Dornan Local Government Committee convenor, said: “There are thousands of people right across Scotland who desperately struggle to keep their homes warm, especially during the winter months.

“We want to hear their thoughts on the proposed Bill, whether it should be strengthened and how the legislation could impact some of the most vulnerable people in society.”