Fuel Poverty

Northern Ireland has the highest rate of fuel poverty in the United Kingdom. The most up to date  figure shows that in 2006, 34 per cent of the population of Northern Ireland was living in fuel poverty.  Fuel poverty means not being able to keep your home adequately warm at a reasonable cost, which is spending more than 10% of your household income on fuel. 

Fuel poverty is caused by a combination of three factors:

  1. Poor household energy efficiency;
  2. Low income;
  3. Expensive fuel or heating system.

Fuel poverty can have serious implications for the health and well being of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and people living with disabilities or chronic illness.

Dealing with fuel poverty has been identified as an important issue by Government in tackling disadvantage in communities. The strategy document ‘Ending Fuel Poverty – A Strategy for Northern Ireland’ published by the Department of Social Development in 2004, states the Government’s intent to eradicate fuel poverty in vulnerable household by 2010, and in all households by 2016.

The strategy established two groups to work toward the eradication of fuel poverty. The Minister with responsibility for Social Development chairs the Inter-Departmental Group on Fuel Poverty (IDGFP), which ensures effective co-ordination of policies and actions across all government departments.  The Northern Ireland Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (NIFPAG) comprises of voluntary and community sectors, whose annual report informs the work and priorities of the IDGFP.

Over the last year Northern Ireland has seen price increases of 19% for electricity, 28% for natural gas and coal, and 75% for oil. Combined with other increases to the household bill, this has given greater urgency to tackle fuel poverty. In response the  Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA has set up a taskforce to look at fuel poverty and report to her by the end of the summer.Minister Ritchie wants the Taskforce to identify who is affected by fuel poverty, look at where funding to tackle it could come from and ensure that the prices charged are fair.

Help for Vulnerable Consumers

Help is available for consumers who are vulnerable and in fuel poverty:

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency does not have to be expensive and it can help save you money on the long term, with one off costs giving you energy savings all year, every year.  For more information contact the Energy Savings Trust on 0800 512 012.

Switch Payment Methods

Suppliers offer a variety of payment options to their customers. For example you can pay weekly or quarterly, by direct debit, or Pay As You Go.

Some payment methods may offer you a cheaper rate or there may be discounts for paying your energy bills by direct debit. Contact your natural gas or electricity supplier for additional information.

Warm Homes Grants

The Warm Homes grant provides a package of energy efficiency measures up to the value of £850. The Warm Homes Plus provides grants for heating measures up to a value of £4300. Both schemes are aimed at owner – occupiers and people who rent their homes from private landlords. It is not available for public sector properties. To find out if you are eligible and for more information contact Eaga Partnership on 0800 181 667.

Winter Fuel Payments

The winter fuel payment is an annual payment to help people aged over 60 with their fuel costs.

Winter fuel payments are currently paid to people aged over 60 at a rate of £200 per year. People over 80 years can claim £300.  For a claim form and to check eligibility contact the Winter Fuel Helpline on 08459 15 15 15.

Maximising Income

Figures show that billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed in the United Kingdom every year.

You may be entitled to benefits which you are not claiming. Contact your local social security agency if you believe you are entitled to benefits which you are not claiming.

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