- That’s according to a report from the charity Citizens Advice, which says it is helping more people than ever who cannot pay for energy.
- Soaring heating expenses, stagnating or declining wages and poorly maintained housing have marred millions of lives with debt and poor health.
- Estimates suggest that 10% of excess winter deaths are directly attributable to fuel poverty and 21.5% to cold homes.
National schemes don’t go far enough
- The government energy bill support scheme gave every household a £400 discount on their energy bills for winter 2022-2023.
- Now some households could get £150 off their electricity bill (or added to their prepayment meter) for winter 2023-2024 under the warm home discount scheme.
- Your local council may have other schemes so it is worth checking.
- People may be unaware of their eligibility for the warm home discount and struggle to contact their energy supplier, as is sometimes required in Scotland.
- They may also be loath to contact their local authority for information on nearby “warm spaces” – public places that anyone can use to stay warm, like libraries.
Warm communities
- But our research shows that people in poverty and ethnic minority groups often do not trust city councils and local political representatives.
- Community Energy England, a not-for-profit company, provides free resources for people who want to start community energy projects.
- Money raised from selling this electricity has helped repay investors and funded insulation and other energy efficiency improvements for vulnerable people.
More help is needed
- Our research also indicates that higher unemployment rates, low wages, and limited career progression in low-paid sectors frequently ends in fuel poverty, particularly among people in lower socioeconomic classes and especially those from Black communities.
- The support currently offered should expand to involve community-led approaches to improve energy efficiency and help those in dire need.
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Tolu Olarewaju does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.