‘Unconscionable’ that nearly eight million households struggled with energy bills last year

Reacting to a government report on fuel poverty in England, released today with estimated figures for 2022, Connor Schwartz, warm homes campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“The government’s narrow definition of fuel poverty is farcical because it discounts anyone living in a reasonably well insulated home. With bills as unprecedently high as they have been in the last year, even many of those in better insulated homes have had to make the impossible choice between heating and eating.

“The government’s own figures suggest nearly eight million households were struggling with the price of their bills last year – that’s 50% higher than the year before. It’s unconscionable that so many are unable to afford to properly power or heat their homes.

“When energy corporations’ profits are protected while millions are facing freezing homes, mounting debt, and barely enough money to put food on the table, something is clearly rotten within our energy system and the government’s priorities.

“The government must do more to help people now and protect them from further price shocks in the future, by rapidly insulating our heat-leaking homes, starting with those who need it most. This is the quickest and cheapest way to lower bills permanently, help keep people warm and well, and cut the harmful emissions that cause climate change.”