The Consumer Council has published research estimating that 51 per cent of Northern Ireland households were in fuel poverty, up from 34 per cent recorded in similar research it carried out in 20221. The research, "Research on the impact of the energy crisis on affordability and the impact of energy transition on consumers", was conducted independently by Social Market Research (SMR) and is based on a survey of 1007 energy consumers carried out in February and March 20231.
The Consumer Council states that the 51 per cent figure is an estimate based on the proportion of households spending more than 10 per cent of net household income on energy, and that the methodology is not the same as the official Northern Ireland House Condition Survey figures and is not directly comparable1. The research found fuel poverty more prevalent in lower income households, those in social housing and households receiving Universal Credit, and also among consumers with a disability, those in lower social grades, older consumers and those reporting poor mental and physical health1.
On affordability, 48 per cent said they could not afford to heat their homes because of the current cost of energy1. Most consumers reported cutting back on energy use over the winter: 79 per cent on electricity, 84 per cent on gas and 84 per cent on oil1. Twenty-seven per cent had run out of energy because they could not afford to top up, including 34 per cent of electricity prepayment meter consumers, 33 per cent of gas prepayment meter consumers and 33 per cent of oil consumers; 19 per cent of electricity prepayment consumers and 27 per cent of gas prepayment consumers said they run out of energy weekly because of affordability1.
Other findings include 94 per cent concerned about the current cost of energy, 74 per cent struggling to some degree to pay their bills, and 49 per cent saying they were not coping well with energy bills at the moment1. Forty-four per cent reported mould or damp in their home, rising to 49 per cent among fuel poor households, and 43 per cent said their home is normally cold in winter because they cannot afford to heat it1.
"The research has found a fuel poverty level of 51% across Northern Ireland households, which is significantly higher than the 34% recorded in similar research undertaken by the Consumer Council in 2022."
Why it matters for households
The estimate points to a majority of Northern Ireland households spending more than a tenth of net income on energy, the threshold used in this research1. That leaves less room to absorb further price movement, and the survey links the pressure to specific household conditions: cold homes, damp or mould, and running out of prepaid electricity, gas or oil1. For a home's energy independence, the findings describe a trade-off between staying warm and staying within budget, with 71 per cent heating their home for fewer hours than they would like, 47 per cent turning off radiators in some rooms and 28 per cent using an electric heater instead of oil or gas1. The research also records low awareness of support: 45 per cent were unaware their energy supplier can provide support for those struggling with bills, and 20 per cent knew suppliers may reassess debt payments for consumers in financial distress1. The Consumer Council notes the 51 per cent estimate is not directly comparable with the official Fuel Poverty in Northern Ireland figures, which are based on a different methodology1.
What happens next
The research document notes a scheme "which was due to end in April 2023 but has now been extended"1. No further dated next steps are set out in the research.
Sources1 cited
- Subject:, consumercouncil.org.uk