One million more households will be in fuel poverty – lower energy bills

There will major help coming to families on a low income that are near fuel poverty levels. The government will be providing as many as one million more households a reduction in their energy bills from caps sometime during in 2019. They will also be investing more money in improving the energy efficiency of those homes.

The reason this is being done is the government definition of who is fuel poor, or in fuel poverty, is being expanded. It will now include households with energy bills that in which their income doesn’t support it. In addition to having an income that can’t cover the monthly energy bill, to be considered to be in fuel poverty the home needs to have low energy efficiency ratings. The one million households that will be considered to be fuel poor also meet that criteria. The changes will include up to one million more homes or flats of people with a low

Why is the government including one million more households in 2019?

The ministers have been working with charities, Citizens Advice, National Energy Action, and local councils to expand the definition of who is in fuel poverty. They are doing this as the government guidelines have not been updates in the last 10 years or so. In addition, some studies show more children are from households that struggle to pay the utility bills, so this government assistance scheme will also help children. This fresh look at who is fuel poor will help one million more households pay their energy bill and will bring the total number of households considered to be fuel poor up to about 3.5 million.

The government is also stressing energy efficiency in 2019 up through 2030. They want homes to a C-Banding, and right now about 400K of the 3.5 million that will be in fuel poverty have a C-banding. The energy rating on their certificate will reduce drafty homes, lower their monthly heating bills, and otherwise help families save money.

Which government agency is providing energy reductions?

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will notify the families who will receive a reduction in their energy bills. They will be partnering with councils and fuel providers on this process as well. They will also be capping the energy tariffs for the 3.5 million households.

In addition, the government is spending money on the scheme. Almost $300 million will be paid out to reduce heating costs during the winter. It will be a part of the tariff caps. In addition, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is spending over 6 billion on improving energy efficiency. This will not only reduce the homes or flats monthly utility bills, but it will also make the home more safe as well as comfortable to live in.

The bottom line is that as many as one million more households can expect to get help from the new government changes. Whether it is more money to pay their energy bills, a cap on their costs, or energy efficiency improvements, as many as 3.5 million households that will now be in fuel poverty can expect help.