Local government performance framework
NI 187 - Tackling fuel poverty - % of people receiving income based benefits living in homes with a low and high energy efficiency rating
NI187 measures progress in tackling fuel poverty through the improved energy efficiency of households inhabited by people claiming income related benefits.
Background
Fuel poverty, where a household cannot afford to keep warm, damages the health of those living in cold homes and affects their quality of life. The old, children, and those who are disabled or have a long-term illness are especially vulnerable.
The Government has an aim to ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, people in England do not live in fuel poverty after 2016. The eradication of fuel poverty is a devolved issue with the Devolved Administrations responsible for the achievement of respective targets in their own countries. The most widely accepted definition of a fuel poor household is one which needs to spend more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel to maintain an adequate heating regime.
Progress against these targets is monitored through annual reports and we will continue to work to develop the range of information available to assess the impact of programmes on fuel poverty. These reports and further information on tackling fuel poverty can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/household/fuelpoverty/. The main cause of fuel poverty in the UK is a combination of poor energy efficiency in homes, low incomes and high energy prices.
NI187 has therefore been designed to measure the proportion of households on income related benefits for whom an energy assessment of their housing has been carried out and have a SAP of below 35 or greater than 65. This is ensuring energy efficiency is tackled in the most energy inefficient households (SAP less than 35) and also measures progress towards achieving a SAP of 65, which could potentially fuel poverty proof a home.
How the indicator works?
Please see the guidance on conducting surveys and the collection framework (PDF 120 KB).
- Example letter to householder (PDF 10 KB)
- Home energy use questionnaire (PDF 150 KB)
- Questionnaire help sheet (PDF 100 KB)
- Guidance for local authorities inputting data onto the hub (PDF 190 KB)
Following the consultation
Following the consultation the indicator has changed in several ways:
- SAP 30 has been changed to SAP 35 to be consistent with Health and Housing Safety Rating System
- A second element has been added to measure the proportion of households with a SAP of greater than 65.
- The survey has been clarified that it is to be completed on households in receipt of means tested benefits.
- Also it was clarified that the survey is to be conducted via a postal survey or telephone survey.
Further Information
Page modified: 9 April 2009
Page published: 29 January 2009