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Jonathan Stearn

Jonathan Stearn

Jonathan Stearn is Head of Sustainability and Disadvantage at Consumer Focus, the independent champion for consumers across England, Wales, Scotland and (for postal consumers) in Northern Ireland. Consumer Focus operate across the whole of the economy, persuading businesses and public services to put consumers at the heart of what they do.

Web: http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk
  • Environment

    Fuel poverty: A storm warning

    14th October 2010 — Filed under: Environment, Society & Welfare

    Jonathan Stearn Jonathan Stearn

    Four million households in England are unable to keep their homes warm according to government figures, released by DECC today. New estimates on fuel poverty levels in England from Consumer Focus, also released today, reveal how the most vulnerable consumers are being hardest hit by fuel poverty.

    • Four in every ten single older people are living in fuel poverty compared to three in ten in 2007- making up just over a third (34%) of all fuel poor households
    • One in four lone parent households are in fuel poverty compared to one in six in 2007
    • Almost one in five households are living in fuel poverty in England. The North East has the highest proportion – with one in four households in fuel poverty

    But even this could be the calm before the storm. Price increases fuelled by infrastructure and climate change policies are likely to dramatically increase fuel poverty amongst vulnerable households in the coming years.

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