Skip to main content
  • Donate to NEA
  • Advice
National Energy Action Homepage
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT US
    • About NEA
    • What is Fuel Poverty?
    • News and Insights
    • Contact NEA
    • Job Vacancies
  • WHAT WE DO
    • WHAT WE DO
    • Latest Events
    • Campaigns
    • Projects
    • Publications and Resources
    • Training at NEA
    • Policy and Research
    • Innovation and Technical
    • Advice and Support
    • Water Poverty
    • Smart Meters
  • WORK WITH US
    • WORK WITH US
    • Membership
    • Consultancy & Partnerships
    • Energy Company Obligation
    • Warm Home Discount
    • Charity of the Year
    • Training
  • SUPPORT US
    • SUPPORT US
    • Membership
    • Donate
    • Fundraise
    • Biggest Housewarming
  • ADVICE
    • ADVICE
    • Advice Service
    • SignVideo
    • General advice guidelines
    • Solar PV
    • Finding help elsewhere
  • about us menu
  • About NEA
  • What is Fuel Poverty?
  • News and Insights
  • Contact NEA
  • Job Vacancies
  • about us menu
  • Latest Events
  • Campaigns
  • Projects
  • Publications and Resources
  • Training at NEA
  • Policy and Research
  • Innovation and Technical
  • Advice and Support
  • Water Poverty
  • Smart Meters
  • about us menu
  • Membership
  • Consultancy & Partnerships
  • Energy Company Obligation
  • Warm Home Discount
  • Charity of the Year
  • Training
  • about us menu
  • Membership
  • Donate
  • Fundraise
  • Biggest Housewarming
  • about us menu
  • Advice Service
  • SignVideo
  • General advice guidelines
  • Solar PV
  • Finding help elsewhere
You are viewing :
  • Professional
  • |
  • Members of the Public
  • NEA
  • NEA Cymru
  • NEA N Ireland
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on YouTube
  • Follow us on LinkedIn

Professional | Members of the Public

Frontline organisations warn of a difficult winter ahead for fuel poor households if urgent action isn’t taken

Frontline organisations warn of a difficult winter ahead for fuel poor households if urgent action isn’t taken
Date: 19th Sep 2020
Content Type: News
Nation / Region: England , Northern Ireland , Scotland , UK , Wales
Tags: Fuel Poverty , Impacts , Policy & Research

A new report released today warns of significant hardship for fuel poor households in the coming winter, as a potent combination of higher energy use resulting from staying at home for longer is mixed with reductions in income.

The UK Fuel Poverty Monitor, produced by fuel poverty charities National Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland, collected evidence from 73 organisations to understand the impact that Covid-19 has had on energy consumers, and look ahead to the challenges they will face this winter.

The research found that three quarters of frontline organisations are concerned that there is a high risk that fuel debt will increase this winter as a direct result of the pandemic, while 98% believe that there is a moderate or high risk of more households cutting back on their energy use due to being forced to spend more time at home during lockdown periods.

The risks were found to be most acute for prepayment meter households, who found it more difficult to top up when asked not to leave their homes, and many of whom will be in significant debt even before this winter. This creates a particularly stark situation in Northern Ireland, where a far greater proportion of the population uses prepayment energy meters.

This supports broader evidence that this winter will be particularly hard for those that struggle to afford a warm home:

  • Over the last five winters the number of excess winter deaths due to living in a cold home is estimated at approximately 10,000 per year.
  • During the lockdown months, energy efficiency measure installs dropped by almost 90%, the equivalent to 30,000 fewer measures installed.
  • In the event of a winter lockdown, families in cold, leaky homes would face heating bills elevated £49 higher than those in well insulated homes.
  • One in three British households are concerned about the health impacts of living in a cold home this winter.

Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action (NEA) said:

“Cold weather always hits fuel poor households hard. This winter, the mixture of reduced incomes, higher energy costs and the heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 will be a lethal cocktail for thousands of vulnerable people.

“The experience of frontline organisations, working with some of the most vulnerable households, cries out for increasing the level of support and advice that is available

“In the spring we needed to react quickly and adapt to the crisis. That happened pretty well. For the winter we can plan and resource properly. If we don’t, the cost will be high indeed”.

Frazer Scott, Director of Energy Action Scotland (EAS) and co-author of the report concludes:

 “Scotland is facing a particularly challenging winter this year. As industry struggles to return to work improving housing for the most vulnerable, and job losses combine with the end of debt repayment holidays, tens of thousands of households are facing a very worrying time. 

“Estimates see fuel poverty rates in Scotland rising to 29% of households many of whom will be facing the threat of a harsh Scottish winter in a cold, damp home. Many of these people will become ill in an all too familiar pattern and will be forced to rely upon NHS Scotland which is already facing unprecedented pressures on its services this year. 

“Unlike some of the problems we face as a country, there are many proven solutions to fuel poverty. Let us make this the year we act upon them and prioritise the most vulnerable in society with help.”  

Although there are increased risks this winter, the report finds that action can still be taken to mitigate the impacts of the virus on fuel poor households this winter by:

  • Improving the identification of customers in need, by using all available data.
  • Improving the awareness and communication of available assistance.
  • Providing support for prepayment energy customers.
  • Addressing the increasing amounts of energy debt that have accrued as a result of the crisis.
  • Addressing a hiatus in policy making, and policy programme delivery

Notes to Editors

The report will be available at here from 10am on Monday 14 September. For advance copies or for additional comment or information please contact matt.copeland@nea.org.uk

  1. The UK Fuel Poverty Monitor is the annual investigative report on fuel poverty in the UK and within each of the four nations, published by National Energy Action (NEA) and Energy Action Scotland (EAS). It assesses and reviews policies which are either aimed at or affect the main drivers of fuel poverty, namely: the energy efficiency of domestic dwellings, household incomes and the cost of energy. This year the monitor focussed on the impacts of COVID-19, conducting research with 73 unique organisations across the energy industry that are on the frontline of addressing fuel poverty.
  2. NEA works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure that everyone in the UK can afford to live in a warm, dry home. To achieve this, it aims to improve access to energy and debt advice, provide training, support energy efficiency policies, local projects and co-ordinate other related services which can help change lives. Energy Action Scotland (EAS) campaigns for an end to fuel poverty in Scotland and is the only national charity with this sole remit. EAS aims to develop and promote effective solutions to the problem of cold, damp and expensive to heat homes.
  3. Through our call for evidence with 73 unique organisations across the energy industry that are on the frontline of addressing fuel poverty, we found that three quarters frontline organisations say there was a high risk of the increased building up of fuel debt this winter, as a direct result of the pandemic. 98% said that there is a moderate or high risk of more households cutting back on their energy use due to being forced to spend more time at home during lockdown periods More information can be found in the report.
  4. Over the last 5 years, there has been an average of 35,562 excess winter deaths. NEA estimates that approximately 30% of these are attributable to the impact cold homes have on those with respiratory and cardio-vascular diseases and the impact cold has on increasing trips and falls and in a small number of cases, direct hyperthermia. This is in line with estimates made by the world health organisation – http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/142077/e95004.pdf
  5. Statistics on energy efficiency installations are taken from the official BEIS ECO statistics, found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/household-energy-efficiency-national-statistics
  6. Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) demonstrates that, over winter, families in cold, leaky homes would face heating bills elevated on average to £124 per month, compared with £76 per month for those in well-insulated homes. For more information see https://eciu.net/analysis/reports/2020/lockdown-in-leaky-homes
  7. A YouGov poll, commissioned by National Energy Action (NEA), shows that one-in-three British households are concerned about the health impacts of living in a cold home.

Related

Posts

NEA responds to Environmental Audit Committee report calling for front loading of energy efficiency spending to help fuel poor households

NEA responds to Environmental Audit Committee report calling for front loading of energy efficiency spending to help fuel poor households

Posted on 22nd Mar 2021
the Environmental Audit Committee has published a report on how to improve the energy efficiency of the UK's building stock.
Nation / Region: England , Wales
Energy Costs , Energy Efficiency , Fuel Poverty , Housing , Housing Standards , Measures
Read More
National charity comments on launch of new Fuel Poverty Strategy for England

National charity comments on launch of new Fuel Poverty Strategy for England

Posted on 11th Feb 2021
Today UK Government published its long-awaited Fuel Poverty Strategy for England.
Nation / Region: England
Fuel Poverty , Policy , UK Government
Read More
Energy suppliers to strengthen support for struggling energy customers

Energy suppliers to strengthen support for struggling energy customers

Posted on 19th Oct 2020
NEA has today welcomed Ofgem’s decision to ensure all energy suppliers across Great Britain provide more support for customers
Nation / Region: England
Consumer Protection , Energy Markets , Fuel Debt , Fuel Poverty , News Release , Ofgem
Read More
How to get involved with Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

How to get involved with Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

Posted on 09th Oct 2020
Friday 27 November will mark Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 2020 and we have never needed your support more to get key messages
Nation / Region: England , Northern Ireland , Wales
Campaigns , Fuel Poverty
Read More
Welsh Government releases new plan to end misery of cold homes

Welsh Government releases new plan to end misery of cold homes

Posted on 30th Sep 2020
The Welsh Government has published a consultation on plans to tackle fuel poverty in Wales. NEA Cymru welcomes the opportunity
Nation / Region: Wales
Energy Efficiency , Fuel Poverty , News Release
Read More
Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhyddhau cynllun newydd i ddod â diflastod cartrefi oer i ben

Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhyddhau cynllun newydd i ddod â diflastod cartrefi oer i ben

Posted on 30th Sep 2020
Heddiw mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi ymgynghoriad ar gynlluniau i daclo tlodi tanwydd yng Nghymru. Mae NEA Cymru yn croesawu’
Nation / Region: Wales
Cymraeg , Energy Efficiency , Fuel Poverty , News Release
Read More
Supporting families in Liverpool

Supporting families in Liverpool

Posted on 26th Aug 2020
Keeping Warm and Healthy educates some of the most vulnerable families with young children on solutions to fuel poverty and
Nation / Region: UK
Impacts
Read More
Life through gas: Connecting Homes for Health

Life through gas: Connecting Homes for Health

Posted on 26th Aug 2020
Cold and damp housing conditions impact on health and wellbeing. As well as causing or exacerbating serious physical health conditions
Nation / Region: UK
Community Networks , Health , Impacts , Measures , Partnership Working , Projects , Research , Warm Home Discount
Read More
HOW TO
Get involved
Subscribe
Subscribe
Subscribe to our mailing lists here
Subscribe
Become a Member
Become an NEA Member
To become a member simply click the button below
Become a Member
Sign Up
Support NEA
To support NEA simply click the button below
Support Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on YouTube
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
NEA is an independent charity Registration No. 290511.
Registered in England No. 1853927