Fuel poverty in Wales and the UK has reached alarming levels. That much is clear from the UK Fuel Poverty Monitor for 2022–2023, released recently by National Energy Action (NEA). The report sheds light on the grim reality faced by many households, its bald statistics backed up by distressing case studies to underline the severity of the crisis.
Despite the efforts of each UK nation to tackle fuel poverty, their strategies have proved insufficient in the face of the overwhelming scale of the problem. Temporary policies introduced to alleviate the impacts of energy price rises have been withdrawn, leaving vulnerable households struggling to cope.
According to NEA’s polling, in collaboration with YouGov, the past three months are a stark portrayal of the challenges faced by many individuals and families, nearly half of whom have had to turn off their heating despite the cold. 43% of adults have gone to bed early to stay warm with 20% resorting to going out to avoid using heating at home.
41% of those on prepayment meters have found themselves without credit, unable to access energy at all.
Others have had to keep their curtains closed all day or covered windows with newspaper, turned to household appliances like ovens, or other improvised heaters for warmth. And some are now foraging for wood, peat, or other solid fuels, effectively self-disconnecting from the grid.
And 41% of those on prepayment meters – the most expensive way of consuming energy often forced on those least able to pay – have found themselves without credit, unable to access energy at all.
Welsh fuel poverty crisis
In Wales, NEA estimates that 45% of households are in fuel poverty, with 200,000 on prepayment meters. Severn Wyes’ work in Powys highlights the dire situation faced by many, struggling to pay energy bills and enduring the resulting cold and damp that comes with a poorly heated home. Such conditions not only affect physical health but also take a toll on mental wellbeing, placing additional strain on healthcare services.
Because of the cost-of-living crisis, our community-based energy advocates are now having to help people who have never experienced fuel poverty before. To be clear, this doesn’t mean they’re skipping a ski trip to pay the fuel bill: they are skipping meals. The need for intervention is more urgent than ever.
As cases become increasingly complex and debts mount, Severn Wye advocates find themselves dedicating more time to support each individual, with the average number of visits to clients rising from three to five. Initiatives like the Warm Homes Programme, set to launch in Wales in April 2024, offer some hope, but the existing fuel poverty plan falls short of meeting the statutory obligations outlined by the Welsh Government, failing to specify interim objectives to be achieved or target dates.
Retrofitting for long-term solutions
With nearly half of Welsh households currently in fuel poverty, we urgently need more ambitious efforts to support households and alleviate the burden on public services. A fundamental step for achieving this is retrofit – upgrading the energy efficiency of the nation’s leaky homes so people need less energy and stay warmer. NEA estimates it will take £2 billion to upgrade the homes of low-income households in Wales to an EPC of C or better. It’s a significant investment but the savings generated will also be substantial – not just lower bills and reduced debt for residents but better physical and mental health with the resulting reduction in demand for NHS and support services. Less obvious but no less important benefits include improved social capital (as people invite others into their warm homes), better educational attainment for children, and increased spending power and development in local economies.
So the ‘cost’ of dealing with fuel poverty in Wales should be seen as an investment, in better outcomes for individuals, local communities and the whole country’s wealth and wellbeing. It’s time for concerted action and a comprehensive long-term plan to put an end to fuel poverty for good.
