Fuel poverty is closely linked to serious health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, and disproportionately affects older people, disabled people, families with young children, and those with long-term illnesses.
According to Fuel Bank Foundation’s recent report, ‘Shining a light on the people living in fuel crisis’, 40 per cent of households it supports have children at home. However, the number of single-person households has been steadily rising, accounting for 38 per cent of households helped. Sixty-three per cent of people supported also have physical or mental health issues. The charity says the biggest risk is from households self-disconnecting or rationing heating to avoid running out of credit on their meter.
“Winter can be a difficult time for many people,” said Mr Cole. “The cold means we’re using our heating more, and shorter days mean the lights and appliances are on for longer too. All of this adds up, and it can feel overwhelming when energy bills start climbing. Cold snaps, such as the one we’re experiencing now, add further pressure on already fragile household finances.
“Sadly, impossible choices have to be made to ration the energy they can afford to use, like whether to turn the heating on to stay warm, cook a meal or have a hot bath/shower.”
Fuel Bank Foundation continues to call on the Government to take urgent action to address the systemic drivers of fuel poverty, including more targeted support for vulnerable households, simplifying the prepayment model, smoothing seasonal costs, pausing debt recovery during winter and reforming standing charges, and accelerate home retrofits to improve their energy efficiency.
