One million families with children are in fuel poverty and facing a “Christmas in the cold”

EMBARGO: 00:01 Tuesday 24 December 

• 1.08 million households affected by fuel poverty in England have children aged 15 or under.
• West Midlands and Yorkshire have highest rates of fuel poverty.
• The Liberal Democrats are calling for an emergency home insulation programme to support those in fuel poverty.

Over one million families with children under 16 are living in fuel poverty, analysis of government figures by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

It means more than one in six households in England with young children are in fuel poverty, compared to one in nine of those without. The LiberalDemocrats warned that far too many children are facing a “Christmas in the cold” this winter and called on the government to bring in an emergency programme to provide free insulation and heat pumps for low-income households.

Figures for 2023 show there are 1.08 million fuel-poor households with children aged 15 or under in England. Households with children under 16 are disproportionately impacted by fuel poverty. The party’s analysis reveals that 17.6% of households with children are fuel poor, compared to 11.4% of households without children under 16.

Overall, 13% of households in England were in fuel poverty in 2023. The regions most affected by fuel poverty were the West Midlands (19.5% of households) and Yorkshire and the Humber (16.4%). 

The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to act to support households in fuel poverty by introducing an emergency Home Energy Upgrade programme. The programme would provide free insulation and heat pumps for low-income households.The party is also calling for a social tariff which would provide targeted energy discounts to support the most vulnerable households. 

Commenting on the data, Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesperson Pippa Heylings MP said:

“It is shameful that over a million families with children are facing a Christmas in the cold and living in fuel poverty. 

“The former Conservative government’s appalling legacy has left people with sky-high energy bills and leaky homes.

“This cannot continue, every family deserves a warm safe home. That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling for an emergency home insulation programme this winter to ensure people don’t have to choose between eating and heating.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Fuel Poverty Statistics (Table 22)