Fuel Poverty

Just over 10 per cent of households in London were estimated to be in fuel poverty in 2022-2024* according to the new measure (introduced for 2019 data) which considers a household to be in fuel poverty if their housing has an energy efficiency rating of D or below and the cost for heating the accommodation would mean that the household income would fall below the poverty line (Low Income, Low Energy Efficiency). According to the latest estimates, London has lower levels of fuel poverty compared with England as a whole.

Changing fuel prices and energy efficiency, as well as increases or decreases in relative income and housing costs can impact on these figures. Using the previous measure of low income high costs, London also tended to have a lower level of fuel poverty than England. Throughout the last decade there is a clear downward trend overall, as energy efficiency has improved, both in London and nationally. Increased uncertainty of the data during the early part of the pandemic means that this should be treated with caution. There is also some uncertainty in the latest estimate, as it is a projected figure, not based on measured changes. Rebates provided through the Warm Home Discount and Energy Bills Support Scheme are deducted from gross energy costs in producing these estimates.

* Fuel poverty regional estimates are based on two years’ data such as April 2019-March 2021, described as the middle year, 2020. Figures for 2023 are projections incorporating observed changes in energy efficiency installations, income changes and announced energy prices.