More than 15,000 people are living in fuel poverty in Brighton and Hove, according to official figures.
The price comparison website MoneySuperMarket.com said that the figures represented 12 per cent of households in Brighton and Hove – or 15,459 homes.
The average fuel poverty gap in Brighton and Hove is £367, the website said. Again, it based its numbers of official statistics.
MoneySuperMarket.com has compiled tables to show which cities have the most fuel poverty – where households are unable to afford adequate heating – and what the average shortfall is per household.
The study suggests that Brighton and Hove is one of the most fuel poor places in the country although the situation is harder in a number of Scottish cities.
In addition, the study looked at energy inefficiency and the cost of energy wasted in the home.
Once again Brighton and Hove was among the worst performers. In the past former council leader Bill Randall has highlighted the challenges in this area because of the high volume of old housing.
Our Regency and Victorian homes are widely admired for the way they look but they are often expensive to heat and poor at keeping the heat in.
Image source: MoneySuperMarket
MoneySuperMarket.com said: “Brighton and Hove is one of the most fuel poor cities.
“Fuel poverty, where a household can’t afford adequate heating, is a major issue in the UK.
“As many as 10.8 per cent of UK households are considered ‘fuel poor’ and fall short in paying their yearly energy bills, by an average shortfall of £371.
“With temperatures dropping quickly, much more of the UK may be at risk over the coming months.
“However, despite the huge expense, parts of the UK are wasting as much as £115 on inefficient boilers, bulbs, and insulation, as well as by leaving household electronics on standby.
Image source: MoneySuperMarket
“High wastage potential and a wide gap mean they have the most to benefit from improving their energy efficiency and potentially switching energy provider.
“These high-energy costs severely affect the quality of life for many people.”
I believe your picture shows Lewes Crescent? Hardly suffering from any poverty there
It might be useful to check out the warmth for wellbeing scheme, which is giving £150 non payable grants to the most vulnerable. I got my cheque in a few days. Call this number to claim 0800 988 7037.
Also anyone in Emergency Accommodation can get!
And BHCC Planning refuses to let people in conservation areas affordably double-glaze their windows. The windows are huge in Regency and Victorian flat conversions and looe lots of heat – so inefficient. The only double glazing allowed, if any, is extremely expensive and only for rich people, not for people who have ordinary incomes. If BHCC planning was committed to helping residents it would allow all windows in the city to be affordably double-glazed.