Budget comment from End Fuel Poverty Coalition
Simon Francis, End Fuel Poverty Coalition Coordinator, commented:
“The Chancellor’s mini-Budget was especially minimal on the support needed to keep people warm this winter.
“Even with the measures pledged by the Government so far, there is now just a week to go until energy bills increase by 64% compared to last winter.*
“The start of the Chancellor’s ‘new era’ will see 7 million households left facing desperate fuel poverty this winter.
“Millions of people will spend the winter struggling in cold damp homes. This will cause health problems for many and place more strain on the NHS and social care system.
“Millions will face additional hardship due to the unfair standing charges regime and being forced onto more expensive pre-payment meters.
“Regional variations of fuel poverty caused by housing type will continue and the solution is support for more energy efficiency measures. This is backed by energy firms, climate campaigners, charities and professional bodies, but the mini-Budget also had nothing to help end fuel poverty in the long term.”
* The average household bill in winter 2021/22 was GBP1277. This has increased to GBP2,100 for winter 2022/23, taking into account the support promised so far. For some of the most vulnerable households, the increase will be limited to an average household bill of GBP1,700 this winter – still representing a 33% increase year-on-year. Please note, the Energy Price Guarantee caps the unit cost of energy, not the total bill.
In winter 2021/22, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition estimates 4.6m UK households were in fuel poverty (based on official definitions). This will rise to 6.99m in winter 2022/23.
