Over 16,000 Households in Brighton and Hove Affected by Fuel Poverty

A forthcoming report, scheduled for review by councillors next week, indicates that over 16,000 households in Brighton and Hove are experiencing fuel poverty. The report specifies that an estimated 13.2% of households, totaling 16,527, are considered to be in fuel poverty based on the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE) measure. The Local Democracy Reporting Service notes that this figure surpasses the averages for both England and the South East region. To tackle this problem, Brighton & Hove City Council has developed a fuel poverty and affordable warmth plan, outlining five objectives. Councillors are set to discuss this plan on 12 November. The new plan updates a previous strategy from 2016, incorporating considerations for the cost of living crisis and the rise in energy prices observed since 2022. The report highlights that “Many households face challenges in heating their home, particularly over the winter months.” It further defines fuel poverty as “the problem faced by households living on a low income in a home which cannot be kept warm at reasonable cost.” The report explains, “This can mean making difficult choices between heating the home and other essentials such as food, clothing or falling into debt.” It concludes, “For many households, the result can be living in a home that is cold and/or falling into debt, both of which have cumulative negative impacts on health and wellbeing.” The five objectives designed to address this issue are: A household is categorized as “fuel poor” if its property has an energy efficiency rating below band C and its disposable income, after accounting for housing and energy expenses, falls below the poverty line.