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ARCHIVE: Tackling fuel poverty and energy efficiency

Fuel poverty is the responsibility of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). However, Defra has an interest in this issue both from an environmental and rural perspective, and is working with DECC at Ministerial and official level to identify the best ways to help people in rural areas.

The target in England is that, as far as reasonably practicable, no vulnerable household will be in fuel poverty by 2010, and fuel poverty will be completely eradicated in all households by 2016. Key facts suggest that in 2007 (the latest figures available) 13% of English households were fuel poor.

The Government recognises that there are challenges ahead and is working on a number of projects to eradicate fuel poverty. These will provide mains gas connections and micro generation technologies to deprived communities in rural areas.

The Government is implementing a number of fuel poverty and energy efficiency schemes which may help rural fuel poor households:

Key Facts

A household is said to be in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its  income (after tax) on fuel to maintain a satisfactory heating regime (usually 21 degrees for the main living area, and 18 degrees for other occupied rooms).  The three main factors that determine whether a household is in fuel poverty are the energy efficiency of a home, energy prices and the level of household income.

Latest figures suggest that:

    • 13.2% of English households are fuel poor
    • 17.2% of rural households in England are fuel poor (19.3% of the population of England live in rural areas). 

    Page last modified: 19 March 2010
    Page published: 19 March 2010