Energy

What is fuel poverty?

Fuel poverty in England is measured statistically using the Low Income High Costs definition, under which a household is considered to be in fuel poverty if:

  • They have required fuel costs that are above average (the national median spend on fuel)
  • Were they to spend that amount they would be left with a residual income below the official poverty line

Whether or not a household is affected by fuel poverty is largely determined by the following three factors:

  • The energy efficiency of the property
  • The cost of energy
  • The household income

The causes of fuel poverty

Fuel poverty is caused by several factors:

  • Inadequate access to information
  • Inefficient heating systems
  • Inadequate insulation
  • Poor housing stock
  • High Fuel Prices