Fuel poverty targets will not be met, NEA warns

Fuel poverty targets will not be met at the current level of delivery and funding to tackle the problem, National Energy Action has warned.

The charity has urged the government to increase investment in energy efficiency and improve conditions in the private rented sector “urgently”.

New research from National Energy Action (NEA) suggested that around four million households are still living in fuel poverty, and that energy efficiency problems such as damp and unhealthily low temperatures are more prevalent in privately rented homes.

The research also found that a baby living in cold housing will have a higher chance of suffering mental health problems, and that living in fuel poverty impacts on educational attainment.

NEA chief executive Jenny Saunders said: “We need to see much more ambition from national and local government if we are to end the unnecessary cost and suffering caused by fuel poverty.

“There are excellent examples of good practice locally that demonstrate how health and wellbeing boards and local authorities are tackling the health inequalities of living in cold homes. These examples must be replicated in all parts of the country to facilitate action to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable.

“As well as continuing to tackle exclusion in the energy market, the answer lies in increasing investment in domestic energy efficiency. We need to follow the example of other developed countries and be driving massive permanent reduction in total energy demand across the UK. The UK government must also mobilise all relevant departments to deliver the current fuel poverty strategy and improve conditions in the private rented sector urgently.”

The government has a statutory target to eradicate fuel poverty by 2030, but the charity suggested that current progress indicate the target will not be met. The government has extended its support for energy efficiency programmes for a further five years from March 2017 when the current Energy Company Obligation (Eco) closes.