Figures as of 2018 show that around 25 Percent of Scottish households are in fuel poverty which amounts to around 619,000 homes. Nobody wants to live in cold conditions but sadly this is the case for too many people across the UK. 

What Defines Fuel Poverty? 

Someone is considered in fuel poverty when they are unable to afford adequate heating for their home. On the 11th of June 2019, the legislation to support people who struggle to pay their fuel bills was passed by the Scottish parliament. This bill defines a household to be in fuel poverty if more than 10% of its net income is required to heat their home or pay other fuel costs, leaving little money for a decent standard of living. If more than 20% of a household’s income is needed to fund fuel costs then these are considered as being in extreme fuel poverty.

Factors Which Can Contribute 

Key factors which can contribute to fuel poverty include:

• The cost of their energy.

• Household Income

• The energy efficiency of a property (energy required to heat and power the home)

If you’re struggling to afford your energy bills, you may be able to take advantage of benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.

Fuel Poverty And Health

Living in a persistently cold house can be detrimental to one’s health. Especially come the winter months when heating is needed the most. According to several studies over the years, ill-health due to cold homes has cost the NHS millions of pounds each year. Living in a cold, damp home through fuel poverty is a contributory factor in health issues such as heart disease, respiratory issues, circulatory diseases, and can worsen or induce mental health problems.

10,000 people die on average in the UK each year because of health conditions caused or worsened by living in a cold home, and fuel poverty is a known risk factor for suicide.

There Is Help Available

If you’re struggling to afford your energy bills, you may be able to take advantage of benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.

Winter Fuel Payment- This is a one-off payment that helps you pay for heating during the winter. You can get a winter fuel payment if you were born on or before the 5th of April 1954 you could get between £100 and £300 to help pay for your heating bill however these dates change every year as the pension age is slowly going up until it reaches 67 for men and women. This usually happens automatically if you qualify, if you are eligible for this and do not get paid automatically then you can make a claim. 

Cold Weather Payments - These are one-off payments to help you pay for extra heating costs when it is very cold. You will receive a payment each time the temperature drops below a specific number for a set period of time. This is only available if you already receive:

• Pension credit

• Income Support

• Income-based jobseekers allowance

• income-related employment and support allowance

• universal credit

Warm Home Discount Scheme -You may be able to get £140 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you already receive the guarantee credit part of pension credit or on a low income. 

Grants To Help Pay Off Energy Debts- If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant from a charitable trust to help pay it off. The Energy Savings Trust also has information to help you search for grants and offers to make improvements to energy efficiency relevant to the country you live in the UK.

Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) is launching its Warm and Safe Homes Campaign this Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (Friday 3rd December), urging three actions that will make a difference to people in fuel poverty this winter.

1 Ensuring enough money for essentials The current universal credit uplift, which is offering a lifeline to millions by providing extra money for living essentials, must be maintained and strengthened.

2 Bringing forward Breathing Space and new actions to clear debt Halting enforcement action, providing flexibility on repayment plans and introducing new ways to help people with utility debts will help reduce the additional stress caused by falling into household debt and have a positive economic impact.

3 A proactive, coordinated and targeted response from frontline agencies Those most in need are not necessarily aware of or able to access the support that is available, particularly if they are digitally excluded, English is not their preferred language or they have other communication needs. National and local government, energy suppliers, network operators, health agencies and other frontline organisations need to proactively identify and assist these customers and clients

To find out how to support the NEA campaign, visit their website or follow them on Twitter: @NEA_UKCharity / @NEA_Cymru / @NEA_NIreland