What is Fuel poverty?

The definition of fuel poverty when simplified refers to the situation in which a household is unable to afford to heat their home to a comfortable temperature.

Fuel poverty is often triggered by high fuel prices, low income, poor energy efficiency, unaffordable housing prices and poor-quality insulation in rental housing. A household can be classified as being in fuel poverty if they have to spend more than 10% of their income on maintaining an adequate level of warmth.

The issue of fuel poverty has been on the political agenda across the UK and on an international scale, since the start of the ‘fuel crisis’ In September 2021. Almost 21 years since the last fuel crisis in 200, Initially the panic buying of fuel was reported to increase as a result of media coverage on a shortage of HGV truck drivers.

It was also around this time in September 2021 we saw the rise of the climate group Insulate Britain. The group led a series of protests which involved blocking junction on the M25 and the port of dover.

They believed public disruption was the only way to get their message heard. The groups aim was to persuade the government to insulate people’s home adequately to help reduce energy waste and reduce fuel poverty. The protest group were initially perceived as crazy, The Sun even described them as eco warriors.

However, in the wake of Putin’s war on Ukraine and the complexities of a post Brexit economy increasing fuel shortages. The issue of fuel poverty, insulation and reducing fuel waste is more pressing than ever as fuel prices soared internationally.

Since the beginning of 2022 alone there have been huge increases in gas prices. With British Gas even stating on their website that a typical household will pay an average 54% more on their annual energy bill - working out at £58 per month.

As a result, fuel poverty is most likely something the UK will see increase even more over the next decade. The fuel crisis has led to an increased cost of living, which will leave thousands of people not only in fuel poverty but facing huge general financial hardships.