Central Government Fuel Poverty Strategy

• UK Fuel Poverty Advisory Group
• Vulnerable Groups

Government Strategy

The Government published its UK fuel poverty strategy on 21 November 2001 on the DTI website. The Strategy sets out the framework for delivery of the Government's overall goal of seeking an end to the problem of fuel poverty, with the first target being to reach those most vulnerable to cold-related ill health by 2010.

On 30 November 2004 Defra published 'Fuel Poverty in England: The Government's Plan for Action' which outlines how the Government intends to tackle fuel poverty in England. A copy of this strategy is available to download from the attached files section at the bottom of the page.

However, as a result of the views received in response to a consultation letter sent out to interested parties on 18 September 2002 the intentions of the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy have been clarified to:

"In England, the Government, as far as reasonably practicable will seek an end to fuel poverty for vulnerable households by 2010.

"Fuel poverty in other households in England will, as far as reasonably practicable, also be tackled as progress is made on these groups, with a target that by 22 November 2016 no person in England should have to live in fuel poverty.

"Separate targets will be/are being set by the Devolved Administrations in respect of tackling fuel poverty".

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Fuel Poverty Advisory Group

The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by DTI and Defra. Its primary task is to report on the progress of delivery of the Government’s Fuel Poverty Strategy and to propose and implement improvements to regional or local mechanisms for its delivery.

Vulnerable Groups

Benefit eligibility is used to determine vulnerability. The most recent English House Condition Survey (2005) defined those in receipt of the following benefits as being vulnerable:

• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• War Disablement Pension
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (where household has a relevant income of less than £14,600.00)
• Working Tax Credit (where household has a relevant income of less than £14,600.00)

A copy of the most recent (2005) English House Condition Survey is available to download from the attached files section below.

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Attached Files

Filename	Filetype	Size
english house condition survey.pdf	PDF	137K
government fuel poverty action plan.pdf	PDF	224K
uk fuel poverty strategy fourth progress report.pdf	PDF	1033K
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