Fuel Poverty: Warm Homes Support Scheme

Fuel poverty is affecting more households than ever before, yet current government support schemes fail to provide adequate relief. Our report with So Energy, launched in Parliament, presents a comprehensive analysis of the crisis and offers a roadmap for more effective solutions.

• 1 in 5 households are fuel poor – Our analysis reveals that 5.4m households struggle to afford their energy bills, with an average fuel poverty gap of £550, totaling £3bn across Great Britain.
• The true scale of fuel poverty is uncertain – A lack of a unified definition and complexity in measurement obscures the full impact, but it's clear that millions face hardship.
• Current schemes missing those most in need – The Warm Home Discount (WHD) and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) fail to reach up to 4m fuel-poor homes, highlighting the need for better targeting.
• A new Warm Homes Support Scheme is needed – A restructured bill support mechanism, at little or no extra cost to the exchequer, could provide tiered relief to those most affected.
• Private sector investment could be leveraged – Financial incentives could help shift some of the burden from the public sector, providing additional funding options for tackling fuel poverty.

This report provides in-depth research and actionable recommendations on improving fuel poverty interventions. Download it here to gain insights into potential policy improvements and funding solutions that could make a meaningful difference.

So Energy is a customer-centric, tech-led energy supplier offering fair tariffs and green products, now serving over 300,000 households across Great Britain. So Eneryg are uniquely placed in the market, as one of the last challengers left after the wave of supplier collapses during the energy crisis, but one that is backed by ESB’s considerable resources and expertise.