Fuel poverty: What is Government doing?
The UK’s strategy to alleviate fuel poverty
The 2001 UK Fuel Poverty Strategy (on the BERR website) set out a framework for the delivery of the Government's overall goal of seeking an end to the problem of fuel poverty, with the first target being to reach those most vulnerable to cold-related ill health by 2010.
In 2004 Defra published 'Fuel Poverty in England: The Government's plan for action' (PDF) (220 KB) which outlines how we plan to meet our target of eradicating fuel poverty amongst vulnerable households in England.
The fifth annual progress report, published on 6 December 2007 (and available via the BERR website), provides an update on the actions taken across and outside Government, to tackle fuel poverty and sets out the fuel poverty figures for 2005. A Defra news release has been issued.
Energy White Paper
The 2007 Energy White Paper outlined a number of measures to help tackle fuel poverty including extending Benefit Entitlement Checks under Warm Front, a greater interaction between schemes (such as with the Energy Efficiency Commitment at the local level, work to improve data sharing, and encouragement for action by energy suppliers.
Other action to tackle fuel poverty
In addition to the assistance provided under Warm Front, householders have benefited from:
- reduction of VAT on fuel, which has lead to lower energy costs
- liberalisation of energy markets and reducing energy prices
- introduction of the annual £200 winter fuel payments for pensioners
- National Energy Action develops and promotes energy efficiency services to tackle heating and insulation problems of low-income households
Future action
- A review of the fuel poverty policy framework to build on measures in the Action Plan and the Energy White Paper
- Local authorities in England will receive guidance from the government on measures that they can take in order to help reduce the number of households living in fuel poverty. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has recently completed a consultation on what should be included in the guidance.
- Defra has been seeking views on a new fuel poverty indicator which it is hoped would be included within a national set against which local authorities in England would have to report their performance against from April 2008.
Fuel poverty data
2001 English House Condition survey dataset release
BERR and Defra jointly produce estimates of fuel poverty in England based on Communities & Local Government's (CLG’s) English House Condition survey.
The full English House Condition dataset including fully validated, detailed fuel poverty variables and accompanying documentation. This data set is provided free of charge to any organisation wishing to undertake their own research or to develop the data base further, provided the source of the data is acknowledged.
Additionally, support for the fuel poverty aspects of the data set will be provided by the Building Research Establishment, who will be able to answer any questions you may have with regard to these variables. To access this support, please contact the BRE Housing Centre on 01923 664500, quoting "Fuel Poverty".
Page last modified: 6 December 2007
Page published: 6 December 2007