Media Centre

For media enquiries please contact:

During office hours (08:45-17:15)
Lesley Tudor Snodin, Press and PR Officer - 0191 269 2929 (direct line) 07595 201 185 (mob)

Outside office hours
Peter Smith, Policy Manager, 07595 780 893

An estimated 6.6 million UK households live in fuel poverty. A regional breakdown can be found from page 11 of the Press Pack.

The consequences range from psychological stress, worry and social isolation to causing or exacerbating serious illnesses such as respiratory and circulatory conditions. Last winter brought an estimated 25,400 excess winter deaths, regional figures can be found as above.

Energy prices - By October 2011 all six major suppliers had raised their energy prices adding approximately £300 onto the average household energy bill.

NEA estimates that for every 1oC drop in temperature there is a corresponding 60,000 people pushed into fuel poverty. The longer term outlook is one for higher energy prices. Ofgem has predicted that energy bills will increase between 14% and 25% by 2020 to fund the investment in new lower carbon forms of energy.

Energy efficiency - Ultimately energy efficiency is the only sustainable way to cut customers' energy bills. British Gas estimates that customers following advice on energy efficiency are using 18% less gas now than they were in 2006, a trend that is expected to continue.

It is therefore vital that priority is given to energy efficiency programmes, however in December DECC announced that no further applications would be accepted by the Government's Warm Front Scheme. The budget through to 31st March 2011, at £345 million, has now already been fully allocated. There is currently a waiting list of some 50,000 applicants.

The Warm Front budget for the next financial year is down to £110 million from its current rate of £345 million, and for 2012/13 down to £100 million. Government is currently consulting on how to better target the reduced budget from April 2011.

The Government is committed to the Green Deal, this will not start until at least 2013. This is currently being debated as part of the Energy Bill in Parliament however we need action now to help those most vulnerable. For further information visit decc.gov.uk

Incomes - The Comprehensive Spending Review announced changes to benefits and tax credits which will mean a significant reduction in income for many vulnerable groups and potentially increase the number of fuel poor households.

Winter Fuel Payments were retained for winter 2010/11 at £250 per household for over 60's and £400 for households with a person over 80, but will revert back to £200 and £300 respectively next winter.

Cold Weather Payments were retained at £25 per week. These are paid to eligible groups when the temperature falls below 0oC for 7 days or more.

For more information contact Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699. For further comment from NEA contact Maria Wardrobe, Director of Communications at NEA on 07949 615807

Average GB Fuel Prices Table

Below are the current average fuel bill estimates for the three main payment methods and announced increases to date (including the latest from npower).  Please note that yellow columns contain future averages, that is, once increases have been introduced.  Npower's increase will take effect from 1 October.

Click on the image to enlarge