National Energy Action
Our Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
On Wednesday 18 November 2026, National Energy Action’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day will shine a light on the scale and impact of fuel poverty on children and their health now and throughout their lives.
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, warm home. Yet across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, millions of children are living in households that struggle to afford the energy needed to heat and power their homes to a safe and healthy standard.
Fuel poverty is not inevitable
Growing up in a cold, damp home can affect children’s health, wellbeing and opportunities, both now and in the future.
Children living in fuel poverty are more likely to experience:
- Increased coughs, colds and chest infections
- Respiratory problems linked to damp and mould
- Poor sleep caused by cold indoor temperatures
- Anxiety, stress and worry linked to financial hardship
The impacts can extend far beyond childhood, affecting:
- School attendance
- Educational attainment
- Social participation and isolation
- Long-term physical and mental health
Fuel poverty is not inevitable.
With the right action, we can ensure every child grows up in a warm, safe and energy-efficient home.
How your support of Fuel Poverty Awareness Day helped last year
How many organisations and individuals supported us?
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Over 1,000 organisations and individuals supported us on the day by sharing social media messages, amplifying their work and making fuel poverty an issue that’s impossible to ignore.
How many people were reached on social media?
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Our hashtag #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay had a potential reach of just under 6 million, meaning more people than ever were aware of the impacts of living in cold, unsafe homes.
How many elected representatives supported us?
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At our events in Parliament, the Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly, over 50 MPs (Members of Parliament), MSs (Members of the Senedd) and MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly), supported our Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.
How many media mentions did Fuel Poverty Awareness Day get?
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Last year our Fuel Poverty Awareness Day was mentioned in the national and regional media over 175 times. It was trending on X (Twitter) in 20th place across the UK for most of the day.
How many people, including children, are in fuel poverty in the UK?
0m
In the UK, around 10 million households are in fuel poverty – unable to keep warm and healthy at home. This includes more than 6 million children.
Lived experiences
The impact on everyday life
Read the real-life stories of people struggling under the crushing weight of high energy bills and poorly insulated homes.
Beyond Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
More than one day
How you can help support our work beyond Fuel Poverty Awareness Day on Wednesday 18 November.
Parliament, training and community
Our events
Discover the events National Energy Action will be running and attending for our Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.
