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:: ECO Home :: Finite Resources :: Funding Energy Efficiency :: Fuel Poverty :: Saving Water :: Saving Energy :: Energy Toolkit ::
Fuel Poverty
Fuel poverty is an important local issue affecting people's wellbeing. Councils have a unique position in the community and are well placed to develop affordable warmth strategies to tackle this problem. By developing strategies based on improving the energy efficiency of homes, it is possible to provide a permanent solution to fuel poverty, as well as meet the longer term challenge of climate change.
Millions of households in the UK cannot afford sufficient warmth for health and comfort. A fuel poor household is one that needs to spend in excess of 10% of household income in order to maintain an adequate standard of warmth. This generally means 21 degrees C in the living room and 18 degrees C in the other occupied rooms.
Councils that have been awarded Beacon Status on tackling Fuel Poverty have succeeded by tackling the issue across departments and working in Partnership with other external organisations.
The information provided here will be of particular relevance to Social Services, Community and Youth and Family Education teams who have contact with people who may be vulnerable to being fuel poor.
The briefing document, provides background information and outlined the help and the grants available to individuals to improve the energy efficiency of their home and a number of agencies that individuals can be referred to.
It is hoped that funding can be obtained in the future to fund the production of a leaflet called Affordable Warmth that can be distributed to Service-Users.
Funding is also being sought to provide staff training on fuel poverty issues.
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