West Midlands hit hard by fuel poverty

As the weather gets colder, recent studies show that about 15 to 20 percent of families in the West Midlands area live in fuel poverty, and thousands of elderly are struggling to keep their heating bills paid and gas from being disconnected. Age UK shows that over 20,000 older people could even die from the cold, and this lack of attention on addressing the fuel poverty crisis is what some people consider to be one of the biggest scams in the UK.

Poverty is hitting the entire region very hard, and families in all the major cities, such as Birmingham and Coventry, are under pressure. It is impacting people of all ages, including households with young children as well as the elderly. These groups tend to also be the most vulnerable, as if they do not have heat during the winter, then they will be at risk of a major health impact.

Fuel poverty means that the household in West Midland is paying such as large portion of their income for their heating bills, that any remaining money they have left after those costs causes them to live below the poverty line for that city or district. So even if the individual is employed and budgeting properly, if the energy bills they need to pay are too high based on that income, then they are in fuel poverty.

West Midlands areas of fuel poverty by city and town

The breakdown of the West Midlands area is below. A big challenge in the West Midlands is the low and flat wages, and when combined with escalating prices for food, fuel, and other bills, it is causing many people to face a financial hardship.

• Wolverhampton – Almost 20,000 households, are 18% are impacted.
• Dudley – Over 14 percent of people are in fuel poverty.
• Cannock Chase – This area is better off. Only 11.1 per cent are struggling.
• Sandwell – It is estimated that 16 to 17 per cent of families struggle to pay their heating bills on time and may be in arrears.
• Coventry – While the per cent has come down, it is still over 16%.
• Lichfield – 12.5% have an income that puts them into this category.
• Walsall – 18% is the number.
• Wyre Forest – Age UK estimates 14% of individuals and families struggle.
• South Staffordshire – About 12% of the residents are in fuel poverty.
• Stafford – The ration is about 17%.
• Birmingham – Over 110,000 residents live in fuel poverty, with many elderly struggling as well.

Even with the various government schemes available to low income families in West Midlands, such as the Winter Fuel Payment or the Warm Home Discount, this is not enough. The rebates or credit do help, but households are still threatened with either having a cold home in the winter, or maybe not feeding themselves or their families so they can keep up with their heating costs. So the challenge in West Midlands, and nationwide, is a major one and continues to worsen.

Age UK and MPs from cities and boroughs across the region, including Birmingham, are trying to find a permanent solution to this crisis. Much of this will depend on the will of the politicians and government funding levels, and their lack of action is what defines this scam. There needs to be more aid, or even a commitment to better insulate homes, but until then fuel poverty will continue to threaten many households, and even lead to the death of some elderly people in West Midlands.