Fuel poverty is on the rise. In 2012, there were 2.28 million households unable to meet their heating costs and government expects this to rise to 2.33 million by the end of this year due to the growing cost of energy bills. The latest official figures show that 41% of the lowest income families are in fuel poverty, but despite assumptions this is not a problem confined to older people. Families with children and working age households now make up 70% of those in fuel poverty, while those living in privately rented accomodation or where residents are unemployed are most likely to be struggling to meet their energy needs.
More than a third of people facing fuel poverty have either a disability or a long term illness, many of whom may be unable to work. The vast majority (80%) of people living in fuel poverty who can work do so - but spiralling energy costs means work does not always solve their problem.
With large numbers of families facing the dilemma of heating or eating, government is attempting to tackle the problem. Its latest strategy, which has just faced public consultation and is now being considered by MPs, is controversial. Government has scrapped an earlier commitment to axe fuel poverty by 2016 and changed the way that the issue is measured and recorded. Instead of aiming to eliminate the problem, new targets have been proposed around improving the energy efficiency of fuel poor homes, achieving a band C minimum efficiency standard by 2030.
It’s tough ask: only 4% of families in fuel poverty live in a band C rated home. And with utility prices still rising, will helping households to cut the amount of energy they use be enough?
Join panel of experts from 2pm on Tuesday 9 December to discuss the growing problem of fuel poverty, and what policies should be introduced to help solve it.
Panel:
Adam Scorer, director of consumer futures, Citizens Advice
Craig Kaminsky, sustainable properties manager, Home Group
Mervyn Kohler, external affairs adviser for Age UK and a member of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group
Imran Hussain, head of policy, Child Poverty Action Group
Peter Smith, campaigns and policy manager, National Energy Action
Ruth Abbott, housing standards and adaptations manager, York council
How to join in:
The live chat is completely text based and will take place on this page in the comments section below, kicking off on Tuesday 9 December at 2pm. You can submit questions in advance on Twitter using the hashtag #bigenergydebate or by posting in the comments thread, which is now open.
This article is part of the Guardian’s #bigenergydebate series. Click here to find out more about this project and our partners.
