North East fuel poverty rate is highest in UK

Nov 17 2009 By Liz Walker, The Journal

MORE than a quarter of households in the North East face the misery of fuel poverty this winter - the highest of any region in the UK.

As the recession continues to bite, more people than ever before will be forced to choose between "eating or heating" and thousands will die simply from their homes being too cold.

The warnings come from the UK’s leading fuel poverty charity National Energy Action, which launches its annual Warm Homes Campaign today.

The charity is calling on the Government to increase resources for programmes which reduce vulnerable people’s gas and electricity bills, saving them money and keeping them warm and well throughout the winter.

The latest figures reveal that 27% of households in the North East – a total of 297,000 – are in fuel poverty. This means that more than 10% of income is spent on utility bills. That is well above the national average of 19.1% and is also a sharp rise from 2003 when the figure was 8.3%.

Government figures also say that around 1,500 more people in the region die every winter compared to the rest of the year.

Older people are one of the most at risk from falling into fuel poverty. Julie Latimer, information officer at Age Concern Gateshead said: "For many people it really is a case of choosing to eat rather than heat. We had a case last week where a gentleman’s heating had broken and we were able to provide him with temporary heaters. But he was so worried about the cost that he would not use them.

"A big problem is that many people do not realise they are in fuel poverty and not aware they can apply for grants to help them. We would advise anyone that if they are having problems with their bills or a fuel debt to seek advice straight away."

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has estimated that for every 1% rise in energy prices, an extra 40,000 households become fuel poor. The average annual gas bill is now £790, an increase of 139% (£460) since January 2003. The average annual electricity bill is now £435, an increase of 80% (£193) since January.

There are several insulation grant schemes to keep the heat in. For example, the Government’s Warm Front scheme offers grants valued at up to £3,500 or £6,000 if your home needs oil central heating.

However, many people do not take up the opportunity to get help and NEA wants more radical thinking and action from the Government – which has a deadline of 2016 to abolish fuel poverty. For further advice on grants available call the Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99.