Fuel Poverty Awareness Day highlights plight faced by million in the UK Dec 03, 2021

This Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 4.5 million UK households face the harsh reality of being unable to afford to heat their homes to the temperature needed to stay warm and healthy.

Fuel poverty is the rise in energy costs, low incomes and energy inefficient homes that leave people in the impossible situation of choosing between heating their homes or feeding their families.

Cold homes created by this vicious cycle of energy bill debt and energy rationing can worsen a range of serious health conditions like bronchitis, asthma and mental health conditions.

Last year there was an estimated 63,000 excess winter deaths in England and Wales, with cold homes a contributing factor.

The Government are encouraging energy efficient home improvements for certain residents by proving grants and funding.

One such scheme is the Energy Company Obligation Scheme, which is available to residents on certain benefits and low household incomes.

Opportunities exist through local councils as well as energy efficiency project management companies such as YES Energy Solutions.

Earlier this year we helped 62-year-old Thirsk resident Peter Benson who only had an open fire for warmth in the winter as part of the award winning North Yorkshire Warm Homes Fund.

Peter explained: “I used to sit in front of my fire to get warm after work but the house would still be freezing."

YES Energy Solutions sourced funding to install a brand new central heating system.

“I was so happy when I found out it was fully funded because I’d never had central heating in my life, I was made up.”

“I could never have done it on my own without the scheme, I couldn’t afford it.”

Share this story