We should all be able to stay warm at home, but sadly each winter many people cannot afford to do so.
Rising energy costs, low incomes and energy-inefficient homes are restricting people’s options, leaving them in impossible situations like having to choose to heat their home, feed their children or pay their rent.
The impacts of living in a cold, damp home cause unnecessary suffering for millions and continues to kill as many people as smoking and alcohol abuse.
As Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency in previous terms, I have been working with National Energy Action, NEA, Cymru and the Fuel Poverty Coalition Cymru to re-establish the Cross-Party Group in the sixth Senedd, and I am pleased to report that our first meeting took place on November 8th.
The purpose of the group is to raise awareness of the problems of fuel poverty and enable Members of the Senedd to openly discuss the policy issues which can impact on the ability of households in Wales to afford their energy bills.
We have long been calling on the Welsh Government to make fuel poverty a priority and to ensure that fuel poor households receive the financial support they need.
I most recently raised this in the Welsh Parliament with the Minister for Social Justice on 20th October, when I emphasised the strong connection between fuel poverty and health.
I stated:
“We recognise that tackling fuel poverty is a social justice issue, but we recognise that improving the energy efficiency of the homes of fuel-poor households in Wales will also contribute to climate change objectives in Wales.
“Speaking here in November 2018, I noted that the annual cost to the Welsh NHS of treating people made ill by living in a cold, damp home was approximately £67 million, with health impacts caused by cold homes predominantly relating to cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Low temperatures also diminish resistance to infection and encourage damp and mould growth in the home. And cold indoor conditions have also been linked to poor mental health, resulting from anxiety and stress, and cold homes also exacerbate social isolation and reduce educational attainment, therefore crossing into social justice issues.
“Speaking at National Energy Action Cymru's fuel poverty conference in February 2019, I stated that your predecessor had told the Cross-Party Group that the Welsh Government would be developing a Cold Weather Plan in conjunction with Public Health Wales, and that a crisis fund and adoption in Wales of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline and quality standard on cold-related ill health and excess winter deaths would also be key to this. However, yesterday's statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services on the Welsh Government's health and social care winter plan made no reference to fuel poverty.”
“On October 1st, the energy price cap set by energy regulator Ofgem increased, driven by a rise in energy costs, with gas prices hitting a record high as the world emerged from lockdown. Although the price cap ensures that suppliers only pass on legitimate costs to customers, NEA Cymru warned that this rise would plunge 22,500 more households in Wales into fuel poverty this winter, and called for deeper protection and more direct financial support for low-income households this winter.”
They stated that the Welsh Government “has a vital role to play to support fuel-poor households across tenure to retrofit and upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes”, and are calling on the Welsh Government “to expand the financial support available to assist those struggling to meet growing energy bills, as well as longer term investment in home energy efficiency, prioritising the poorest households in the least efficient homes”.
I called on the Social Justice Minister to respond to their call.
Given that winter is almost upon us again, it is vital that the Welsh Government acts now – there is no time to waste on this.
Wales needs a Cold Weather Plan, which NEA Cymru's annual Fuel Poverty Monitor has called for over a long time, and which the Minister in the last Welsh Government accepted in 2019 and said the Welsh Government would be developing. It is disappointing that we are still having to push for this.
As temperatures plummet, people, particularly the elderly and those on low incomes, should not have to worry about putting their heating on.
Fuel poverty can affect not only household finances, but also lead to physical ill-health and stress, so it is vital that all steps should be taken to tackle it and improve the wellbeing – physical, mental, and financial – of people in Wales.
Anyone struggling to meet their heating costs can contact NEA Cymru’s Warm and Safe Homes advice helpline on 0800 304 7159.
Alternatively information can be found on their website NEA Cymru