The Warm This Winter petition passed 110,000 signatures shortly after it was launched, the same Friday that Ofgem confirmed the winter price cap1. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition, which published the figure, said the petition calls for immediate government action1.
The coalition estimated that over 12 million households across the UK, 42 per cent, face fuel poverty this winter1. It said that from the price cap rise on 1 October, 21 million people in around 9 million homes, 32 per cent, would be affected, rising to around 28 million people in 12 million households, 42 per cent, from January 2023 unless urgent action is taken by the Government1. The coalition said its estimates take into account support announced by the Government so far and are historically reflective of the definitions of fuel poverty used in official statistics1.
The coalition's figures sit alongside a wider measure. It cited University of York estimates that, on a measure of 10 per cent of income being spent on energy bills, 54 per cent of households would be affected from October, rising to 78 per cent in January 2023, adding that this is not the definition used by the different UK governments1. Regional figures for the coalition's own measure were to be published in September 20221.
The campaign's demands were set out by the coalition: more emergency money for people this winter, funding to help everyone cut their bills with better insulation, and a rapid move away from expensive gas and onto cheaper, renewable energy1.
"The public is clamouring to be kept Warm this Winter and we need to see more emergency money for people this winter, funding to help everyone cut their bills with better insulation, and a rapid move away from expensive gas and onto cheaper, renewable energy."
The coalition also pointed to a University College London Institute of Health Equity report predicting a humanitarian crisis for children in cold homes1. Separately, the Resolution Foundation warned that the next prime minister's term looked set to be dominated by the biggest squeeze in living standards for a century1. Ruth London of Fuel Poverty Action said the poorest customers pay the highest prices under the present pricing framework, and set out an Energy For All proposal under which each household would receive enough energy to cover its basic needs, paid for by higher prices for profligate energy use1.
Why it matters for households
The coalition's estimates describe the scale of the winter ahead rather than any change to what a household pays. The price cap sets the default tariff level, and the 1 October rise is the point from which the coalition counts its figures1. For a household, fuel poverty on the coalition's measure means a real risk of daily economic sacrifices that compromise living standards, with many at risk of health complications from living in a cold damp home1. The petition's demands cover both immediate financial support and measures that reduce how much energy a home needs, which is where energy bills and energy independence meet: insulation and renewable generation reduce exposure to gas prices over time, while emergency payments address this winter only1. Households in debt have separate routes through the British Gas Energy Trust and the complaints and redress system, and the Ofgem pages explain what the regulator covers1.
What happens next
Regional figures for the coalition's measure were due to be published in September 20221. The coalition's January 2023 figures assume no further government action; it said the higher numbers apply unless urgent action is taken1. No further detail on the petition's progress or on any government response has been reported1.