Doncaster Council

Affordable Warmth

About one third of householders suffer from what has been termed fuel poverty - where 10% of a households income is spent on heating the home.  This can particularly affect the most vulnerable members of our society - the poorest 20% of householders spend proportionally twice as much of their income on fuel compared to an average householder.

Cold homes have repeatedly been linked to ill health and early deaths. Studies have found the UK winter death rate is around 30% higher than the rest of the year, with the majority of excess winter deaths being among pensioners.

The term excess winter deaths should be replaced by unnecessary winter deaths. Other countries, like Norway and Sweden, see far smaller increases (around 10%) despite having colder winters.

With so much ill health caused by cold homes, an additional burden inevitably falls on the health service who must treat hundreds of thousands of people who would not be ill but for the lack of a few simple measures to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. It has been estimated that treating cold related illness costs the NHS 1 billion pounds every year. In health terms, therefore, fuel poverty is clearly bad economics. Also, it should be remembered that this health service 'winter crisis' is an annual event, spreading the impact of cold homes from those directly affected to those people awaiting routine operations cancelled during the winter.

Energy Action for Health

Doncaster Council's Energy Team work in partnership with Doncaster Primary Care Trust and other agencies to try to assist householders in Doncaster whose health is at risk due to cold, damp or energy inefficient housing.  This service offers vulnerable residents of Doncaster home advice visits.  For more information on the initiative please see the fact sheet below or contact the Home Energy Advisor on 01302 737056 to discuss eligibility for a visit.

• Energy Action for Health Revised July 2007

Utility Bill Advice

Since the deregulation of the gas and electricity companies it has become more difficult to know how to choose which utility company will provide the best service for you and at the best price.  We are happy to offer advice on your utility bills, supplier issues and usage.

Energy Watch is the independent watchdog for gas and electricity consumers.  For free impartial advice and help with cases where you feel you're being treated unfairly by your utility company contact EnergyWatch on 0845 9060708 or visit www.energywatch.org.uk.

For free impartial advice on the best priced energy in your area:

· Simply Switch, Tel: 0800 0111271 or visit www.simplyswitch.com
· USwitch, Tel: 0845 6012856 or visit www.uswitch.com
· Better Priced Energy at www.better-priced-energy.org.uk/