Almost a fifth of London homes are affected by fuel poverty according to a new report published today by the London Assembly’s Health and Public Services Committee
The report also finds that the number of households experiencing fuel poverty has increased, despite a range of Mayoral and Government initiatives.
A household is deemed to experience fuel poverty when it spends over 10 per cent of its income on energy for heating, lighting, and cooking.
Assembly Members want energy companies to fund a successor to the Mayor’s RE:NEW home insulation scheme and greater take-up of the Warm Home Discount.
The report also calls for energy companies, local authorities and other stakeholders to use a new online data tool to help target the support they provide.
Committee Chair Victoria Borwick said: “More and more people are finding keeping their home warm unaffordable as fuel prices rise faster than incomes. Fuel poverty is having a major effect on the health of Londoners, from the very young to the elderly, as well as costing the NHS significant sums of money each year.
“The energy companies and all levels of government have a part to play in helping prevent households falling into fuel poverty and our report sets out practical ideas to help achieve this.”
The full report can be downloaded from the London Assembly website.