Fuel Poverty Strategy Summary

What is fuel poverty?

We want to reduce fuel poverty in South Tyneside.

If you spend a lot of your money to keep your home warm you may be living in fuel poverty.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home could reduce heating bills.

Energy efficiency measures include double glazing and energy efficient bulbs.

Energy Performance Certificate

They give an energy efficiency rating for your home.

They are rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

You need an EPC if your home is newly built, sold, or rented.

Anyone living in a home with an EPC rating of below C can be living in fuel poverty.

Why is improving energy efficiency important?

• It reduces the amount of carbon emissions from your home. This helps the environment.
• Your health improves if you live in a warmer home.
  • You are less likely to suffer from problems with your heart, breathing or mental health.
  • The NHS may spend less money.
• If you grow up in a cold home you are more likely to be unwell and miss school. This means it is more likely that you will get lower grades in exams. This often affects the sort of job you can get.

Fuel Poverty and South Tyneside

There are slightly less households thought to be living in fuel poverty in South Tyneside than the rest of the North East.

The charity National Energy Action says that energy price rises mean that about nineteen percent of all households are likely to be living in fuel poverty.

Who is most vulnerable to living in fuel poverty?

• If you are sixty five or older.
• If there is a child in your home younger than school age.
• If you have a health problem. For example, a problem to do with your breathing, heart, or mental health.

If you have a prepayment meter you are more likely to be fuel poor. This is because these tarriffs are often more expensive.

If you do not have access to, or struggle to use computers, smart phones, and the internet you are more likely to be fuel poor. The cheapest deals for electricity and gas are often only available online.

Objectives

One:	Maximise household income and reduce household costs where possible. You will be supported to maximise your income, manage your money, and reduce your bills.
Two:	Improve the energy efficiency of homes. The most cost-effective and best solution to tackling fuel poverty.
Three:	Reduce household energy consumption. Changing your habits is the cheapest way to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

We aim to:

• Provide you with advice and support.
• Support you to improve the energy efficiency of your home.