NEA is a charity that works to eradicate fuel poverty and campaigns for greater investment in energy efficiency, to help those who are poor or marginalised gain affordable heat.
According to research done by NEA, six million households across the UK are in fuel poverty, with a growing mountain of debt putting pressure on those least able to afford it, including many Disabled people.
The energy price cap will again rise in January 2025, representing an annual energy bill increase of £19 for the average household and bringing warnings that millions are already “rationing heating to dangerous levels”.
Fuel poverty exists where a household’s fuel costs are above average, and their disposable income (after housing and fuel costs) falls below the poverty line. The three elements that are important when determining above average costs are household income, household energy requirements and fuel prices. This means that there are many factors that could lead to fuel poverty, such as reduced income or a change in housing.
To tackle the ongoing issue of fuel poverty, National Energy Action began Fuel Poverty Awareness Day in 2020. This year will focus on the fact that fuel poverty affects millions of people from across society - young people, older people, carers and Disabled people whose energy needs are often greater due to the use of medical and mobility equipment and the need to keep warm to prevent illness.
The key messages from NEA this year are:
- Energy prices are still 50% higher than pre-crisis levels, with cold homes linked to an increased risk of developing respiratory and cardiovascular health conditions, as well as poor mental health and unintentional injury.
- Over £3.7 billion is owed to suppliers. Householders already in debt cannot escape this without a Help to Repay scheme.
- Everyone must pay the standing charge even if they don’t use any energy. This disproportionately affects low-income users.
- Disabled people’s energy bills are often higher than average because they may be unable to work or because they spend more time at home.
- Carers face significant challenges in paying energy bills because they may not be able to work full time, and they may need to keep their homes warmer for the person they care for.
- Lone parents and households with a child under five are often more likely to be in fuel poverty.
The campaign launched today involves supporter groups using the social media hashtag #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay and there is a letter that individuals can amend and send to their MP through the Action Network website which calls for more support for Disabled households facing fuel poverty this winter.
Peter Smith, director of policy and advocacy at National Energy Action said: “The most vulnerable people will sink into further difficulties and acute hardship. With unaffordable energy bills and far less support available nationally this winter, millions of people are already rationing their energy use to dangerous levels or getting deeper into debt trying to keep warm.”
Dan White, policy and campaigns officer at DR UK and one of the leads at the Disability Poverty Campaign Group said: “Last week the Government’s own estimates showed that cutting the winter fuel payment for pensioners will drive more than 100,000 people into poverty. The Government and the energy giants seem to have lost their moral compass.”
“We need reform of the energy industry. Ofgem remains weak and continues to drag its feet despite massive and overwhelming public pressure to end the pattern of greed and indifference that hits those on low incomes the hardest.”
“As someone who campaigns against poverty in the Disabled and carer community, I can guarantee that without reform around energy, the impact on the NHS and care systems is likely to be significant, indeed catastrophic. As a result, some Disabled people will not live to see 2025. This is not a possibility; it is a fact.”
“The DPCG, NEA and so many others have repeatedly told the watchdog and the Government that Disabled people’s energy use is higher, and that the need for urgent change and an energy social tariff is imperative. They must not turn their heads away from today’s campaign.”
“We strongly urge as many people as possible to write to their MP using the letter on the Action Network. It will take less than two minutes and will keep the pressure on to remind your MP that outside the warmth of Westminster, real people are cold and at risk.”