Fuel Poverty Statistics – Age UK’s Response

Age UK's response to the latest Fuel Poverty Statistics

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General of Age UK said:

'Worryingly, these latest figures show that the number of households in fuel poverty has remained stubbornly high. It is unacceptable that 4.5 million homes in the UK and 3.2 million in England are still struggling to pay for their electricity and gas - many of them older people who are particularly vulnerable to the cold.

'While the Government's new Warm Homes Discount which is automatically paid to those on pension credit has clearly had an impact on cutting fuel poverty, it's not enough.

'Behind today's statistics lie many stories of real human suffering as people face the misery of not being able to afford to keep adequately warm. Cold homes pose a serious risk to people's health, increasing costs to health and care services to treat worsened cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and contribute to the high numbers of older people we see dying over the cold winter months in the UK.

'Domestic energy prices have doubled since 2005, and the Government's fuel poverty strategy has simply failed to keep up.

'The solution to fuel poverty has to be in making our homes more energy efficient so we get real benefit from the fuel we use. Yet in the last few months, the only tax-funded fuel poverty programme in England has been wound up, and we are now into unknown territory with the Green Deal.

'We now have a new tax on carbon emissions which is ultimately paid for by all energy consumers: it is high time the Government recycled the revenue that it raises into a vigorous home improvement programme to help households in fuel poverty save energy and keep warm.'

For a free copy of Age UK's Winter Wrapped Up guide call Age UK Advice free on 0800 169 6565 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk to download a copy.

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Notes to editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to well over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).