Countryside Faces ‘Fuel Poverty’ Crisis

People living in rural areas have been left behind by government drives to make homes more energy efficient, charities have warned. This leaves them vulnerable to rising energy prices. Research by National Energy Action and the Campaign to Protect Rural England shows that rural areas are five years behind urban areas in the energy efficiency of homes – and are paying nearly 55% more for their fuel as a result. The charities have called on ministers to establish new energy-efficiency initiatives to help people reduce their energy consumption, particularly those in fuel poverty, who cannot afford to heat their homes. Read more on the Observer website.

Hundreds of Thousands Face Fuel Poverty Misery

A massive shortfall in funding for insulation programmes for low-income households will leave the Government's fuel poverty target in tatters, according to a new report. Research undertaken by fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) shows that hundreds of thousands of households will be living in poorly insulated properties by 2016 – the date by which the Government undertook to eradicate fuel poverty in England. The figures show that even on the most optimistic estimates, 45% of fuel-poor households who could benefit from cavity wall insulation – the single most cost-effective energy-saving measure – will be excluded from support as a result of inadequate funding. Read more on the NEA website.

Seven Million Households Live In Fuel Poverty

More than seven million households in the UK are currently estimated to be living in fuel poverty, a leading energy charity reveals. National Energy Action explains that around 1.5 million more households cannot afford to properly heat their homes than at the same time last year - despite the Government's pledge to eradicate all fuel poverty by 2016. Households are considered in fuel poverty when they have to spend more than a tenth of their income on energy bills. It is usually caused by a combination of low incomes, high energy prices and energy-inefficient housing. The charity warns that because they worry about their rising bills, many people ration their heating use to such an extent that it has a serious impact on their health. As temperatures plummet, the charity launches its Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, urging all households struggling with their bills to stop “suffering in silence” and seek help “immediately”. Read more on the NEA website.

National Energy Action

The NEA has issued a report “Working together to end fuel poverty” urging the Government to take action to end fuel poverty. NEA develops and promotes energy efficiency services to tackle the heating and insulation problems of low-income households. Working in partnership with central and local government; with fuel utilities, housing providers and health services; and with consumer organisations, NEA aims to eradicate fuel poverty and campaigns for greater investment in energy efficiency to help those who are poor or vulnerable. Click on the NEA logo below to access a copy of the report.