According to new research from the Resolution Foundation, the government must do more to support vulnerable households throughout the winter.
With the energy price cap increasing today, the report has outlined that 7.7 million households in Britain are at risk of fuel stress over the winter months. This means that further government support is needed for those who have either never been in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment or will see their eligibility end.
The research has found that single-parent households are the most likely to experience fuel stress, with 77% likely to be under pressure this winter, whilst couples with children are also highly likely to struggle (56%). This is in comparison with only 24% pensioners expected to experience fuel stress.
Keeping those statistics in mind, the Resolution Foundation has outlined how working families are much more likely to be living in poverty than pensioners, and that government support through the Winter Fuel Payment has been poorly targeted.
Resolution Foundation Economist Alex Clegg commented:
“Around 7.7 million households are facing fuel stress this winter, including over half of families with children. These stark statistics illustrate how poorly targeted Winter Fuel Payments are, and why alternative support will be needed this winter.
“Couples with children are more than twice as likely to experience fuel stress as pensioner households, so any new support should not be limited to pensioners. Reforming and expanding Cold Weather Payments offers a viable quick-fix solution to help keep households warm when the mercury drops this winter.
“Looking beyond this winter, the Government should prioritise developing a social tariff and investing in energy efficiency for our homes. This would help to ensure that vulnerable families are insulated from future energy shocks, whatever their age or circumstances.”
The Resolution Foundation does, however, say that some low-income pensioners could see hardship, with further support also being recommended to ensure that they are protected through the winter months.
In response to the report, Local Government Association Economy and Resources Board Chair, Cllr Pete Marland, said:
“No household should experience fuel stress and councils are doing what they can to support the most vulnerable in their communities as we approach winter.
“It is good the Household Support Fund has been extended and will allow many councils to provide much needed support to families. However as this report recommends, expanding and reforming Cold Weather payments could capture more households most in need of help with rising energy bills, including poorer pensioners as well as families, without adversely impacting on public finances.
“Ultimately, councils want to see a shift away from short term, crisis support so they can instead invest in preventative services which improve people’s financial resilience and life chances. Crucially this must be underpinned by a sufficiently-resourced national welfare system.”
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