Fuel Poverty

It has always been around.

It came to a head in the 70’s during the oil crisis. Then in the mid-eighties there were over 150,000 disconnections in the UK because people were in debt and couldn’t afford to pay. The disconnections are gone thanks to “safety net” policies that make sure those in need are not disconnected.

Did you know that Northern Ireland is one of the coldest regions in the UK? It certainly felt like it this year.

Did you also know that we pay the highest prices for fuel? (electricity, gas, oil).

"Fuel poverty is defined as the situation in which a household would have to spend more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel to maintain an acceptable level of temperature throughout the home.

Some people love heat. Some people can’t stand the heat (in many ways) and in Northern Ireland many cannot afford it. This is what needs to be sorted.

DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA wants this problem sorted fast to make sure that it doesn’t become a risk to many vulnerable people such as the sick and the elderly.

Announcements and speculation about severe increases in the price of gas and oil in recent months has not helped the problem especially for those on a low income.

As Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA is concerned and has moved quickly to do something about the situation. Last week the Minister announced that she has set up a team of people to look at this matter urgently before winter sets in again.

The 3 things she wants the team to do immediately is:-

The team, known as the Task Force, will be reporting back to Minister Ritchie within the next few months, before the end of summer, so that she can act before the colder months set in.

In a statement last week the Minister said:-

“As an Executive we have the right policies on energy efficiency and support to address fuel poverty over the longer term.”

However, the recent announcements about increases in fuel charges means that a short term package needs to be sorted as well – and NOW!

National figures throughout the UK estimate that there were 2 million people in the fuel poverty trap before the announcements and speculation about fuel price increases. It may get worse. Our Minister certainly does not want that to happen on her patch. (Northern Ireland)

Watch out for an update on what the Fuel Poverty Task Force has found out in their research. Our internet will keep you up to date on progress and what will happen afterwards.