News
Friday 28 November 2008
Fuel Price Rise Leave 63,000 Edinburgh Households Out In The Cold
Rising energy prices have resulted in soaring levels of fuel poverty in Edinburgh according to new research by Changeworks. The calculations show that 63,000 households in Edinburgh are now in fuel poverty, double 2006 figures, leaving nearly 1 in 3 households unable to afford to heat their homes adequately. These figures are expected to rise in the coming months as the credit crunch continues to impact on the economy and job security.
Commenting on the research Changeworks’ Senior Project Officer Stuart Duncan said: “This winter 1 in 3 Edinburgh households are going to be hard hit by the recent fuel price rises. In many areas of the city people will struggle either to heat their homes adequately or pay their bills”
“While the energy efficiency of older buildings in Edinburgh can be expensive to tackle, there are options available, and even grants from energy companies if you know where to look. We are encouraging residents living in flats to come and find out what can be done to reduce their fuel bills at a free advice meeting at the Eric Liddell Centre on 1st December at 6.30pm.”
NOTES
Based on Communities Scotland findings and on Edinburgh’s share of the Scottish housing stock, each 1% rise throws a further 720 households in Edinburgh into fuel poverty. The average combined gas and electricity price of one major supplier has risen by 53% (from BBC website press releases) between 2006 and 2008 alone. In the last two years. The estimated Edinburgh homes thrown into fuel poverty = 583 x 53 = 31,000 homes. In 2006 before the rise in fuel prices there were 32,000 Homes in fuel poverty. This means 30% of Edinburgh’s are 210,000 households in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Government definition of fuel poverty “A household is in fuel poverty if, in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10% of its income (including Housing Benefit or Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all household fuel use”
See fuel poverty maps at http://www.changeworks.org.uk/content.php?linkid=104
For further information contact:
Stuart Duncan OfficerSenior Project
Tel: 0131 468 8657
