Friday 29 May 2015

10.4% of homes in fuel poverty in 2013

More than two million people in England were in fuel poverty in 2013.

That's according to the latest statistics from DECC, which showed fuel poverty levels fell from 2.36 million in 2012 to 2.35 million in 2013 - representing around 10.4% of households in the country.

A combination of rising incomes and energy efficiency improvements in low income households led to a decrease in the fuel poverty gap from £909 million in 2012 to £877 million in 2013.

This is an overall reduction of £32 million.

DECC said: “These improvements are encouraging because they show we are moving in the right direction.

“By helping low income households improve their energy efficiency we can make a real difference in helping to keep their bills down.”

In 2013 5% of fuel poor households were living in a property with an energy efficiency rating of band C or above, which is an improvement from 2% in 2010.

In 2014 a target was set to ensure as many fuel poor homes as is reasonably practicable achieve a minimum energy efficiency rating of Band C by 2030.