Insights ¦ Closing the fuel poverty gap: A plan for targeted energy support

Published by: Public First
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Key Take Aways

Persistent Crisis: Britain faces a sustained affordability crisis, with household energy bills over £700 higher than winter 2021 levels, affecting up to 6.1 million households in fuel poverty.
Widening Gap: The fuel poverty gap has nearly doubled since 2020, now averaging over £400 in England, reflecting the deepening severity of the crisis.
Support Expiry Risk: The current Warm Home Discount (WHD) is due to expire in April 2026, risking significant increases in bills for vulnerable households.
Income Link: Income remains the strongest predictor of energy stress; 72% of those spending over 10% of net income on energy live below the poverty line.
Vulnerable Groups: Disabled and older households face higher average energy costs and are more likely to experience fuel poverty.
Exclusion Issues: Existing support schemes miss around 2.5 million fuel-poor households, particularly those outside the welfare system.
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