Fuel Crisis | Fuel Bank Foundation

Candle-lit, cosy nights make autumn and winter feel special. But not if candles are your only source of heat and light. Sadly, for many people in the UK, that will frequently be the case this year. Yes, the energy price cap has been reduced. But unlike last year, there probably won’t be any Government support to cover rising fuel costs.

Our latest research provides an insight into the causes and impacts of Fuel Crisis on people’s lives and why the problem is snowballing. Based on a survey of the people we’ve helped in the past 12 months, skipping meals, rationing heating, hot water and appliance usage or not using them at all, as well as buying less food, were some of the most common ways people tried to save money.

The situation for our client group is desperate and will only get worse. As the temperature drops, the nights draw in and the need for energy increases, there will be a huge surge in the number of people who face living in Dickensian conditions, with candles their only source of heat and light.

We are doing all we can to support those who need our help the most, but more needs to be done by government and the energy sector to prevent people from being forced into Fuel Crisis. What’s required is a long-term, strategic action plan, coupled with immediate support for those who are going to struggle this winter.

We hope you find the research interesting and that you’ll join us in combating this terrible yet preventable problem.

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Head of Fuel Bank Foundation

Since launching in 2015, we’ve helped over 1.14 million people.

In the last 12 months we've...

Helped 623,769 people by providing a crisis fuel top-up. 58% of those people were adults, and 42% were children.

Gifted a free heated throw to 3,239 vulnerable clients in Wales and Scotland so they can spend less on staying warm and well by ‘heating the person, not the home’.

Provided an emergency delivery of fuel such as coal, wood, or heating oil to 2,125 people living off the mains gas grid so they weren’t forced to live in a cold, damp home.

Younger people are desperately struggling

15% run out of money to ‘top up’ daily

26% were already disconnected from their energy supply when they applied for a voucher

80% had young children at home

73% used their voucher to pay off meter debt

Younger people are desperately struggling

15% run out of money to ‘top up’ daily

26% were already disconnected from their energy supply when they applied for a voucher

80% had young children at home

73% used their voucher to pay off meter debt

The severity of fuel crisis today

In the 12 months before receiving a fuel voucher...

were choosing between food and energy at least once a week

were rationing heating and/or hot water at least once a week

When I found out that Heat Fund could gift me nearly three bags of coal it was a huge sense of relief. It was a lifeline at the time, I didn’t know how I would be able to keep the girls warm, it was one pressure off my shoulders.