Fuel poverty warning in Cotswolds as prices rise

The Cotswolds

Contact Us
[email protected]

Website design and hosting by Commatic

Cotswold Blog

The Cotswold Blog is a collection of diary entries, news, gossip and other Cotswold related information.

Fuel poverty warning in Cotswolds as prices rise

The recent cold snap has highlighted concerns that thousands of households will be plunged into fuel poverty by rising energy prices.

A 'fuel poor' household spends 10% or more of its income on heating the home to an adequate level.

Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) believes that the 35% increase in gas and electricity prices since 2003 will push low-income households, who already struggle to heat their homes, into fuel poverty.

The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) estimates that for every one percent rise in fuel price, 40,000 more households will fall into fuel poverty.

Cotswold District Council is a member of NEA and recognises the contribution the charity makes in helping the Council to implement its Affordable Warmth Strategy.

Gary Packer, the Council's Sustainable Energy Officer said, 'Nearly one in five Cotswold households are living in fuel poverty, a figure that looks set to rise following the price increases.
One of the key ways of tackling fuel poverty under the Council's Strategy is to raise awareness of any help that is available and to improve domestic energy efficiency.'

The Council is involved in a county-wide scheme to help people get advice and free or discounted insulation to stay warm and save money.

Warm and Well offers financial assistance toward the cost of loft and cavity-wall insulation. Heating grants are also available for qualifying households from the national Warm Front scheme. For details of Warm and Well and Warm Front please call the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012.

Posted : 09/12/2005 15:36:51

PLEASE NOTE: This story has been archived and the information contained within it may no longer be correct.


Other recent Cotswolds news items

Chipping Norton Leisure Centre set for expansion

Chipping Norton Leisure Centre is set for a major upgrade after councillors gave funding the green light. The Centre, based at Chipping Norton School, will be given an artificial turf pitch which...

Record numbers for Cheltenham Science Festival

Record numbers flocked to Cheltenham Science Festival last week (5-10 June) to explore the wonders of science. There were over 45,000 visits from people of all ages taking part in six free interactive...

Scout Group set to benefit from council grant

Plans for the interior fit out of a Scout Group hut in Chipping Norton have been given an £18,000 funding boost from West Oxfordshire District Council. The new fit out is for a brand new hut...

To view the full Cotswold Blog, click here