Why fuel poverty must remain front of mind this summer

The clocks have changed, the sun is shining and spring is very much here. For many of us, the cold winter days are behind us as we look forward to the warmer summer months and lighter evenings. However, for those living in fuel poverty, the lingering impact from a colder-than-average winter will still be felt, despite the change of temperature.

On 27 March, the fuel poverty statistics for 2024 were released by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). They suggested that 2.73 million households (around 11per cent of families) were living in fuel poverty in 2024. According to National Energy Action, however, this figure could actually be as high as 6.1 million households.

What caught my eye from the DESNZ stats, however, was the proportion of households which had to spend more than 10 per cent of their income on energy. This figure now stands at 36.3 per cent and has doubled since 2020. These struggles also back up findings in Cadent’s own Energy Diaries data, which showed how almost half (48%) of respondents aged 35 to 50 say that, for most months, they have no money at the end of it.

On the day these statistics were introduced, Cadent launched its 350th Centre for Warmth in Nottingham – a bittersweet milestone. Last week, we followed this up with the launch of the Kirkdale St Lawrence Centre for Warmth, in partnership with The Social Brokers – our first ever centre built from the ground-up.  

Throughout these past few weeks, I’ve heard the many concerns of local residents who use these facilities. They tell of their struggles to heat their home over winter, how lonely they have been, and how they’re worried about the continued cost-of-living challenges. Many said they would be lost without these community centres, which provide a warm, safe space, and crucially break barriers and taboos associated with talking about energy bill challenges.

Our Centre for Warmth programme has grown significantly since launching in 2021. Working with community centres, we ensure local residents living in vulnerable situations get the appropriate support they need. It’s heartening to see the impact they make and equally inspiring to see the centre managers continue the fantastic work in supporting those who need it most in their community.

Take Paul and Pete – co-founders of The Social Brokers – for example. They have identified an area of Liverpool that was in desperate need of a safe space for parents, schoolchildren and local residents. . Since working with Cadent and using our VCMA funding from Ofgem to build the brand new Centre for Warmth in Kirkdale, they have already formed so many crucial partnerships across the area and in the short time they have been operating, have helped save local residents over £100k – no small amount.. All of these partnerships will help give people the support they need – whether that’s linked to benefits, home safety or even special education needs support.

While we are incredibly proud to have reached the 350 milestone, it is not something we should celebrate. Indeed, while we see the difference our Centres make to the lives of those most vulnerable across our network, unfortunately, the truth is that they are needed more than ever. Footfall has increased this winter and there are no indications this will drop off.

The fuel poverty stats from DESNZ show us that the financial outlook for millions of people will continue to be challenging this year. Although there has been a slight improvement in some fuel poverty rates, we can’t use this to rest on our laurels.

Just like Paul and Pete from The Social Brokers – and so many of our community centre managers – have shown us, we must take the time to understand the needs of our customers and implement support mechanisms that will work.

Just because the sun is shining, does not mean that fuel poverty and its effects have ended. Many households will still be feeling the impact of winter for a long time. Unless real change happens, whether through collaboration, forming new partnerships, or fast-tracking national fuel poverty targets, it’s likely that people struggling this winter will still need support when the clocks go back in October. That simply cannot continue to happen.