Please Rotate Your Device

Supporting national day of action for warm homes

November 27, 2020

Supporting national day of action for warm homes Featured Image

Every winter millions of people across the UK struggle to stay warm and healthy at home. Rising energy costs, low incomes and energy inefficient homes leave them unable to afford even basic household essentials like energy, food and heating.

Living in a cold home can have a range of impacts on physical and mental health and treating cold-related illness is estimated to cost the NHS in England and Wales more than £2bn a year.

This year, the situation will be even more difficult. Covid-19 is squeezing household finances further and compelling people to spend more time in their homes. Some of the health conditions caused or worsened by cold homes, such as asthma and COPD, also place people at greater risk from the virus.

A survey of 73 organisations supporting people in fuel poverty during the first wave of Covid-19, conducted by charity National Energy Action, showed that 95% felt there was a moderate or high risk of more households cutting back on their energy use due to being forced to spend more time at home; and three quarters said they were concerned that there is a high risk of the increased building up of fuel debt this winter.*

This Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (27 November) Fuel Bank Foundation is joining national charity NEA and others up and down the country to highlight these issues and encourage people to seek the help that is available to keep warm at home.

“As a charity that supports people in fuel crisis, we see the profound negative impact it can have on both physical and mental wellbeing. People shouldn’t have to live without gas and electricity to heat and power their homes. Support and advice is available for those who need it most and through initiatives such as Fuel Poverty Awareness Day we can hopefully raise awareness of the issue of fuel poverty as well as all the good work that is happening to tackle it.”
Matthew Cole, Chair of Trustees - Fuel Bank Foundation

Adam Scorer, chief executive of NEA, commented: ‘‘Millions of people dread the cold weather, and have no idea of the support that may be available to them. While we are urging the government to do more we also want to highlight the huge range of help that is available, from energy suppliers, local authorities, community groups and others. By working together we can get help to those who need it, and ensure more people can live in a warm and safe home this winter’.

*Statistics from the UK Fuel Poverty Monitor 2019-20.

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is the national initiative to encourage action for warm homes. It is coordinated by fuel poverty charity NEA and supported by others across the UK.