Fuel Poverty

A household is considered fuel poor if it needs to spend 10% or more of its income on energy in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime. 
Those experiencing fuel poverty often spend a large portion of their income on energy, which forces them to cut back on other essential needs.
The main factors that determine fuel poverty are:

• they are living in a property with a fuel poverty energy efficiency rating of band D or below
• when they spend the required amount to heat their home, they are left with a residual income below the official poverty line
• Household income – how much money is coming in
• Household Energy needs – how much energy the home requires to stay warm
• Fuel costs – the price of heating and electricity

For those interested in the official definition, please visit the National Energy Action (NEA) official website: What is fuel poverty? - National Energy Action (NEA).

Our commitment is to support 500,000 fuel poor customers with targeted support over the next five years. 

We do this by partnering with trusted organisations that are embedded in their local communities and can deliver support to the customers who most need it. Our fuel poverty partners provide personalised one-to-one support and in-depth advice to vulnerable customers who are in or at risk of fuel poverty. 

• Vulnerable customers who are in or at risk of fuel poverty
• Customers struggling to pay their energy and/or food bills
• Customer demographics disproportionately impacted, such as the elderly, disabled and low-income households
• Households with high energy dependency due to medical or health needs
• Households living in energy-inefficient homes or areas or deprivation