Fuel Poverty - the cold hard facts

More than 160,000 households in the region suffer from fuel poverty, a new report set to be launched next week has revealed.

And another 120,000 are in danger of falling into the same trap, says the “Fuel Poverty – The Cold Hard Facts” report.

Produced by Yorkshire Futures on behalf of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, the report aims to bring together information from around the region to assess performance in tackling fuel poverty.

It shows that:

• Fuel poverty occurs when a household needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel. A household that needs to spend more than 20% is considered to be experiencing from severe fuel poverty
• Yorkshire and Humber currently has the second highest level of fuel poverty in England with 163,000 (7.7% of households) affected
• There are an estimated 123,000 (5.8%) ‘vulnerable’ households in the region
• In 2005/06 there were 24,200 excess winter deaths in England with 2,100 in Yorkshire and Humber

The report, which complements the Regional Affordable Warmth Action Plan, uses data and existing sources from across the region and the UK to analyse information on fuel poverty and its causes to provide an evidence base.

It builds upon the work of the Regional Affordable Warmth Action Plan, outlining evidence of fuel poverty and specific issues facing each sub region.

The launch takes place at the Yorkshire and Humber Affordable Warmth Conference “Keeping the Local / Regional Dialogue Strong” on Wednesday 12 December at Sheffield City Hall and aims to promote local to regional dialogue between key decision makers and local practitioners.

Delegates will have an opportunity to discuss progress made against the Action Plan and consider new ways of achieving the targets set within the Plan and the Regional Housing Strategy.

Councillor Peter Box, Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly said “Yorkshire and Humber is suffering from a critical fuel poverty problem. Failure to tackle this sustainably will lead to serious health consequences among the region’s most vulnerable households.”

“It is essential to target these households in order to meet the Government’s objective of eliminating fuel poverty in England. The report will provide a base to monitor performance in tackling fuel poverty and to ensure that responses are targeted correctly.”

Professor Paul Johnstone, Regional Director of Public Health for Yorkshire and the Humber said “More than 2000 people die in the region in winter, compared with the summer and poorly heated homes contribute directly to some of those deaths. The NHS has a direct interest in helping to prevent unnecessary deaths and illness by working in partnership with local authorities, voluntary groups, housing organisations and others to end from fuel poverty.”

For more details, or if you would like to attend, please contact Jodie Speight at the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly on 01924 331602, e-mail jodie.speight@yhassembly.gov.uk