Committee on Fuel Poverty’s annual report – National Energy Action’s response

Commenting on the publication of the Committee on Fuel Poverty’s annual report Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action, says:

‘The UK has some of the least efficient homes in Europe. The poorest households continue to be trapped in the worst conditions and continue to be exposed to higher energy costs and the terrible consequences of cold, mould and damp are damaging their health and well-being daily.  Despite legal requirements to ensure all fuel-poor homes are brought up to a reasonable standard of energy efficiency in England by the end of this decade, based on current levels of ‘progress’, we are over a century away. Even the less ambitious sub-target to 2025 will currently be missed by over two decades.’

National Energy Action says that over 1.5 million low-income households who live in the least efficient, most expensive to heat homes, are feeling the worst impacts of the energy crisis. They would need to pay around £4,000 to £5,000 per year just to stay warm. The charity says that the current situation will continue to get worse later this year without more help from the UK Government.

‘For fuel poor households, in the least efficient, most expensive to heat homes, there are many who aren’t receiving any cost-of-living support and their situation is very bleak, especially as we approach autumn and this winter. Without as much support this year from the UK Government to heat their homes, we know too many will rack up unmanageable debts or try and survive in unheated homes causing ill health, misery and avoidable death.’