§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the most recent available information is on the extent of fuel poverty in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; what sources have been used to calculate latest statistics; and what progress has been made in reaching a common agreed definition of fuel poverty that can be used on a UK-wide basis. [38212]
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§ Mr. MeacherThe UK Fuel Poverty Strategy was published in November last year. Copies have been placed in the Library.
It is estimated that in 2000 there were 2.8 million households in fuel poverty in England, when fuel poverty is defined as occurring when a household needs to spend more than 10 per cent. of its income on all fuel use to achieve a satisfactory heating regime (where income includes housing benefit and income support for mortgage interest). Using the alternative definition of income (excluding housing benefit and income support for mortgage interest) it is estimated that there were 3.9 million households in fuel poverty. These estimates are based on the 1998 Energy Follow Up Survey taking account of changes in income and energy prices between 1998 and 2000. The method and data sources used to produce these figures are set out in "Fuel Poverty in England in 1999 and 2000" available at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/fuelpoverty/index.htm which can be accessed via www.defra.gov.u1c/environment/energy/fuelpov/index.htm.
Fuel poverty is a devolved issue and it is for the Devolved Administrations to comment on their most recent available information, an agreed single definition of fuel poverty is not possible until Wales and Scotland have completed a consultation exercise. However, it is the Government's intention to move to a UK-wide definition in the medium term.