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Fuel Poverty

 

What is fuel poverty?

Fuel poverty results from being unable to heat a home within reasonable cost to an acceptable standard. 

Households in fuel poverty spend 10% or more of their income on maintaining an ambient temperature in the main living area of at least 21o  C and in the other main accommodation at least 18o  C. Fuel poverty arises from the combination of low incomes, poorly insulated housing and expensive to run or inadequate heating systems.

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Who is most vulnerable to Fuel Poverty?

Certain groups are particularly vulnerable, these include older people, particularly those living on their own, lone parents, disabled people and families where adult members are either unemployed or working on a low income.

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Why is it a problem?

Fuel poverty has damaging effects on quality of life and health. Issues such as influenza, heart disease and strokes are all exacerbated by cold.

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How are we tackling fuel poverty?

As tackling fuel poverty is a complicated process, we have developed an Affordable Warmth Strategy to ensure training and advice is implemented to educate the vulnerable community and key workers on fuel poverty and energy efficiency awareness.

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Are any grants available?

Staff in the Eco Hut stay abreast of external grants which are available to save energy and therefore contribute to providing affordable warmth. There are a number of opportunities available:

Warm Front – is a government funded scheme, which provides grants to make homes warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.  

The grant provides energy efficiency advice, two energy efficient light bulbs and a package of insulation and heating improvements which are tailored to each property up to the value of £3500. People receiving Warm Front grants could receive a combination of the following

Insulation Improvements

  • Loft insulation
  • Draughtproofing
  • Cavity-wall insulation
  • Hot-water-tank insulation   

Heating Improvements

  • Gas, electric or oil central heating
  • Repairs to your existing heating system
  • Converting a solid-fuel open fire to a glass fronted fire   

Some homes that need oil central heating may receive a grant of up to £6000 

People receiving one or more of the following benefits can apply for a Warm Front Grant

  • Working Tax Credit (with an income of less than £15,460 and which must include a disability element)
  • Child Tax Credit (with an income of less than £15,460)
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Income Support (which must include a disability premium)
  • Housing Benefit (which must include a disability premium)
  • Council Tax Benefit (which must include a disability premium)
  • War Disablement pension (which must include a mobility supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance)
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include Constant Attendance Allowance)   

You can claim if you have a child under 16 or are pregnant and have a maternity certificate MAT B1, and are also receiving one or more of the following

  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Benefit
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Pension Credit   

You can also claim if you are 60 and over and are receiving one or more of the following

  • Income Support
  • Council Tax Benefit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Pension Credit   

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What are we doing for Council Tenants?

Firstly all residents within the Borough can seek advice from staff at the Eco Hut. Telephone 01925 657763.

In addition, there is a strategy in place, the Stock Energy Efficiency Strategy 2001 – 2010, which is there in order to:

  1. Maximise on energy efficiency improvements to Council houses as part of proposed maintenance and improvement works.
  2. Ensure that at least 1,014 houses are brought up to the decent home standard in respect of thermal comfort and fuel poverty by the year 2004.
  3. Ensure that the remainder of our houses meet the standard by 2010.        


Last updated 01/02/2010 10:39:44


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