Fuel Poverty charity, National Energy Action (NEA), has warned that millions of vulnerable households could narrowly miss out on Cold Weather Payments over the weekend.
Around 4 million households are eligible for Cold Weather Payments in Great Britain, worth £25 per household for any qualifying period. The payments are triggered if the temperature is recorded below zero degrees Celsius for a full 7-day period. No official data has yet been published to confirm which eligible households will receive a payment, but the charity says the onset of warmer temperatures at the weekend means that many eligible households are likely to narrowly miss out on the payment, some by just one day.
Peter Smith, Director of Policy and Advocacy at National Energy Action comments:
“Millions of vulnerable households could narrowly miss out on Cold Weather Payments, despite having to endure freezing conditions for almost a whole week and facing record high energy bills. At this exceptionally difficult time for vulnerable energy consumers, we hope the government considers still making the payment so vulnerable people get the support they so desperately need. Beyond the Cold Weather Payment, larger energy discount or a new social tariff could protect low-income households from cold conditions and all-year round. It is also vital the government’s Warm Homes Plan provides significant investment in energy efficiency to make fuel poor homes cheaper and easier to heat.’
On the 22 November, the energy regulator Ofgem announced that the January price cap will increase by an average of £21 or 1% from the current level. This follows a 10% increase earlier in October. The charity has warned that typical energy bills are around £500 per year higher than pre-crisis levels, with many of the poorest households needing to spend much more due to the energy inefficiency of their homes. National Energy Action will be holding their Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (FPAD) on Wednesday 27 November. They will be highlighting new research which shows how much it costs to heat a home to a safe temperature and encouraging a wide range of organisations and members of the public to show their support for people who continue to live in cold homes. More information about the day can be found here: www.nea.org.uk/who-we-are/nea-campaigns/fpad.
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- National Energy Action (NEA), is the national fuel poverty charity, working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to improve the lives of people in fuel poverty. We directly support people with energy and income maximisation advice, and we advocate on issues such as the current energy crisis and the need to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. See: www.nea.org.uk.
- Cold Weather Payments of £25 for each 7-day period are made to eligible households if the average temperature in a given postcode area is recorded at zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. Typically, households qualify if they are in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest. Eligibility varies if you live in Scotland where eligible households may get an annual Winter Heating Payment instead.
- The onset of the article weather occurred on 17 November and conditions are expected to become milder from 23 November. The charity has previously highlighted that milder temperatures can still pose a significant risk to health. When the temperature falls below 16°C, respiratory function is impaired. When it reaches 12°C increased strain is placed on the cardiovascular system. When the temperature reaches 5-8°C, an increased risk of death can be observed at population level. While cold weather directly triggers these impacts, it can take 3 days after a cold spell for deaths from coronary thrombosis to peak, and 12 days for deaths from respiratory conditions. It can take up to 40 days for deaths to return to average levels.
- Householders can find out if they are eligible for the Cold Weather Payments by going to https://coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk.