A household is said to be in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel to maintain a satisfactory heating regime (usually 21 degrees for the main living area, and 18 degrees for other occupied rooms).
In the calculation of this ratio, the fuel usage is modelled, to ensure the household achieves the satisfactory heating regime. Therefore, if the dwelling is actually heated to a temperature below the level defined as being satisfactory, the estimated bill for that household will be higher than the actual bill and vice versa.
In addition to space heating, the fuel costs component also includes modelled spending on energy for water heating, lights and appliances and cooking.
Whether a household is in fuel poverty or not is determined by the interaction of a number of factors, but three specifically stand out. These are:
- The energy efficiency status of the property (and therefore, the energy required to heat and power the home)
- The cost of energy
- Household income
The 2007 fuel poverty statistics report, the first to be published separately from the policy document is available to download below:
In addition, there are a series of appendices to the statistics report that are available for download:
For the first time, we are publishing a long term detailed tables series of fuel poverty, which contains detailed tables over the period 2003-2007. This is available for download in an excel spreadsheet below:
Sub-regional estimates of fuel poverty are also available for 2006 on the Fuel poverty regional statistics web page.
Methodology documents
2004 Methodology Review
In 2004, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) instigated a Peer Review to independently assess the methodology by which fuel poverty figures are calculated.
A consultation process informed the Peer Review, and ran from April to July 2004.
In July 2008, the Methodology group set up as result of a peer group recommendation agreed that the recommendations within the review had been addressed in subsequent work and completed. DECC continue to ensure the methodology employed is the most suitable and up to date and the methodology group continue to meet regularly.
The 2007 Fuel Poverty dataset is also now available, containing the underlying data 2007 fuel poverty statistics. This is a detailed dataset intended for advanced users of fuel poverty data.
To request your copy, email: fuelpoverty@decc.gsi.gov.uk.