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Fuel Poverty in Newcastle. Newcastle Homeless Forum 1 March 2012. Outline. What is fuel poverty? Causes of fuel poverty Newcastle picture Current delivery. Fuel Poverty. “The inability to afford to adequately heat the home”.
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Fuel Poverty in Newcastle Newcastle Homeless Forum 1 March 2012
Outline • What is fuel poverty? • Causes of fuel poverty • Newcastle picture • Current delivery
Fuel Poverty “The inability to afford to adequately heat the home” • A household is in fuel poverty if more than 10% of income is spent on heating the property to adequate levels
Causes of Fuel Poverty • Rising fuel prices • Low household income • Poor thermal efficiency • Cold, damp & unhealthy homes
Energy Price Pressures Average online direct debit £1,078 • Energy prices have risen • sharply • gas +86% • electricity +39% (DECC 2001 - 2010) • Too many choices • supplier • payment method • tariff • Major concerns • fuel debt • self-disconnection Average direct debit £1,149 Average standard credit £1,247 Average prepayment meter £1,228 Figures 09/11/11, based on average ‘medium’ annual consumption of 16,500kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity for a 3 bedroom semi-detached property.
In Newcastle’s 120,000 homes… • £1,247 average fuel bill (2012) • 40% residents have a health issue • 30% are fuel poor (Nov 2011) • 14.16% excess winter deaths (2009/10)
Delivery of measures • Newcastle Warm Zone • Health Through Warmth • Warm Front • Modern Homes • Helping Hands
Delivery of energy advice • Energy Centre • Newcastle Warm Zone • Energy Saving Trust • Utilities • Home Heat helpline • Consumer Direct
Financial assistance • Warm Home Discount • Social tariffs (EDF and Eon) • Winter Fuel Payment • Cold Weather Payments • Income maximisation • Debt advice
Nine-year-old Luke put down his feelings on how his home was affecting his wellbeing: I feel cold and sad I haven’t got any heating My home is cold and damp Water runs down the wall And it makes my bed wet My fingers draw on the window It’s like fog I try to pull the cover over me But it does not work End Child Poverty, 2008
Contact Details • phone: 0191 278 3427 • email: • energy@newcastle.gov.uk • web: • www.newcastle.gov.uk/energycentre