Over 32,000 Cornish households were in fuel poverty before the energy crisis
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition is worried things will get worse this year
Last updated 5th May 2022
Tens of thousands of households in Cornwall were in fuel poverty before the national energy crisis, new figures show.
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has warned many more will struggle to afford rocketing bills this year after the energy price cap rose in April and the war in Ukraine led to an increase in wholesale oil prices.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy figures show 32,367 households in Cornwall were in fuel poverty in 2020 – the most recent official figures.
This was up from 29,123 the year prior, meaning 12.6% of people lived in a property with an energy efficiency rating of band D or below and, after heating their home, had a residual income below the official poverty line.
Across England, more than three million households (13.2%) were in fuel poverty in 2020, the lowest proportion since records began in 2010.
However, these figures do not account for the current explosion in fuel prices, which saw the energy price cap increase by 54% in April, meaning many households can expect to pay around £700 more per year on their bills.
Alan from Cornwall - "we're putting more money on all the time"
Alan Stock lives in a rental property in Illogan in Cornwall with his wife, who is disabled.
We caught up with him about the figures, as he told us he is having to fork out even more to keep them both warm.
Alan said: "We're on a key meter and my wife's disabled - it's her age as well - and she has to have the heating on all the time.
"I try to switch it off thinking she won't notice but she's cold all the time so we have to leave it on.
"We're putting more money on the key all the time. At the moment we're just waiting for the better weather to come so hopefully she doesn't feel so cold but what can you do?
"We sit watching the telly and we put a blanket round us. I don't feel the cold that much but she does. But it's central heating and you've got to pay if you want heating".
The annual limit on tariffs is due to rise again in October, and Michael Lewis, chief executive of energy company EON UK, warned MPs between 30 and 40% of people in Britain could end up in fuel poverty.
He added that customers' debts could rise by 50%, or around £800 million.
End Fuel Poverty Coalition taking 40% more calls about debt
Simone Rossi, chief executive of EDF, also warned parliament that the company had received 40% more calls from customers worried about debt.
Simon Francis, from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said the 2020 figures show "just how significant the Government's failure to tackle fuel poverty has been" and estimated more than 6 million households in England have now been thrust into fuel poverty.
"The impact of measures taken pre-pandemic has barely shifted the dial – and we know very little has been done since 2020 to change the picture", added Mr Francis.
"We need urgent help for households in fuel poverty now combined with a long-term plan to improve energy efficiency of our homes and a sustainable, renewable-led, energy mix".
Peter Smith, Director of Policy and Public Advocacy at National Energy Action, said the "poorest households are all too often also disproportionately impacted by poor housing" and urged the Government to fulfil its £9.2 billion commitment to improving the energy efficiency of homes, schools and hospitals.
"Improving energy efficiency should be at the forefront of the UK’s response to the energy crisis", added Mr Smith.
A Government spokesperson said it is continuing to make "significant progress on tackling fuel poverty".
They added: "We are investing over £6.6 billion this parliament and working directly with local authorities to further boost energy efficiency in homes across the UK, which remains the best long-term method to keep household energy costs down".