What is the energy crisis?
We are in an energy crisis where millions of people are struggling to afford to pay for enough energy to stay safe, warm, and healthy at home, also known as being in Fuel Poverty.
While the crisis is being driven by very high energy prices, it is often made worse by the poor energy efficiency of houses in the UK, with those in the least efficient homes having to pay thousands more than the typical household just to heat and power their home to a minimum level.
Households are more likely to be in fuel poverty if they live in the private rented sector (PRS) as they are less able to make improvements or changes to their property. Other factors, like coin operated electricity meters can also make this worse.
We have known for too many years the worst conditions remain in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) but worrying recent evidence suggests any limited progress is now being reversed.
Fuel Poverty
What is it?
A household is considered in fuel poverty if it needs to spend 10% or more of its Income on energy in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime.
Those in fuel poverty pay a significant proportion of their income just for energy, meaning that they often have to cut back on other essentials. This can make various physical and mental health problems, including respiratory and circulation conditions worse. People in fuel poverty often cope by only heating one room, not using their heating at all, not cooking food and not having friends or family to visit or stay.
Fuel poverty’s impact on health
Cold homes can cause or worsen a range of serious health conditions including heart attacks, strokes, bronchitis, and asthma. Each year, around 10,000 people die as a result of living in a cold home. Fuel poverty can also have a significant impact on mental health and is a known risk factor for suicide.
Cold homes also prevent children from thriving. Without a warm, quiet place to do their homework, they can fall behind at school. A lack of hot water means they might avoid personal care, leading to bullying and social isolation. With no warm space to spend time with their family, they can spend hours of the day alone in bed. Some resort to using public places like libraries or friends’ houses to stay warm in. All this is disruptive and damaging at a time crucial for their development.
Support for households in fuel poverty
If you need advice on how to keep your home warm and reduce your costs, you can contact one of the organisations below for practical support and financial assistance, or see the directory.
A fuel poverty referral network and free energy advice service for Londoners.
Offering financial help for vulnerable households that is available for both British Gas and non-British Gas customers.
Offering advice and support to fuel-poor households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.