Fuel poverty in Bury
Over the last five years, fuel bills have risen dramatically, placing a greater financial burden upon residents in Bury. Being able to heat the home to an adequate level of warmth and comfort has for too many, become a difficult choice between heating and affording other essentials, such as food and clothing. Tackling fuel poverty in Bury is essential to reducing health inequalities amongst our local population, curbing high levels of emergency admissions to hospital and reducing seasonal excess deaths (SEDs). SEDs are the number of extra deaths that occur in the months from December to March compared with the average number of deaths that occur in the preceding and following four month periods. In 2008-2009 there were 36,7000 SEDs in England and Wales. Following the severe winter the UK experienced in 2009-2010, it is anticipated that SED figures, soon to be released, will show a further increase in seasonal excess deaths.
What causes fuel poverty and who is most vulnerable?
There are three main causes of fuel poverty; these are poor, thermally inefficient housing (expensive and difficult to heat properties, particularly common amongst older homes), high energy prices and low household income or debt.
Most vulnerable to fuel poverty are older people, people with disabilities, long term unemployed or low income households, lone parents with young children, people with chronic illnesses and minority ethnic groups.
Fuel poverty: The local and national picture
Across England, the figure of those in fuel poverty is estimated to be 3.9 million households. In January 2010, National Energy Action estimated that the North West region had 594,000 households living in fuel poverty representing 21% of households.
Figures from the 2006 Bury Affordable Warmth Strategy indicate that there were over 9000 fuel poor households in Bury, and it is anticipated this figure may have increased as a result of the steep rise in energy prices in the last five years. More recent figures from the 2008 Private Sector Housing survey estimate that the total number of homes estimated to be at risk of fuel poverty in Bury (based on total income net of tax and NI) is about 17,025, or 24.7%, nearly a quarter of the total number of households.
What are we doing in Bury?
In line with the UK Fuel poverty strategy, Bury Council developed a local strategy in 2006, with the aim of ending fuel poverty for vulnerable households in Bury by 2010, and for all households by 2016. The strategy hoped to achieve this through five main aims:
- Raise awareness, provide information and promote communication on Affordable Warmth to key agencies and the public.
- Ensure that housing stock in Bury is capable of delivering affordable warmth.
- Provide energy efficiency and financial advice to all households.
- Improve or sustain the impacts on health, wellbeing and social care.
- Establish partnership working and a co-ordinated approach to providing affordable warmth.
A new, jointly owned strategy between NHS Bury and Bury Council is being developed, and is expected to be released in late autumn of 2010.