Fuel Poverty: Understanding the Issue and Its Impact

According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics 2026, an estimated 2.36 million households (9.4%) were living in fuel poverty in England in 2025, down from 2.47 million (9.9%) in 2024. The 2025 figures are provisional estimates.

While this represents a reduction from previous years, millions of households remain affected, with implications for health and wellbeing. Graphnet's Fuel Poverty Dashboard supports healthcare teams in identifying vulnerable individuals and connecting them with targeted support.

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What is Fuel Poverty?

Under the government’s Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE) measure, a household is classified as being in fuel poverty if:

1. Its fuel poverty energy efficiency rating is band D or below; and
2. Its income, after housing costs and the required cost of heating its home, would fall below the poverty line.

This is a critical issue, as cold indoor temperatures can significantly impact the health of people of all ages.

Fuel Poverty and Health Inequality

Household income, energy prices and the energy efficiency of homes all influence fuel poverty. Although the proportion of households in fuel poverty has fallen under the official measure, some groups remain more likely to be affected than others.

Certain demographics are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty, including:

• Young adults: In 2025, 18.6% of households where the oldest member was aged 16–24 were in fuel poverty – the highest rate of any age group measured this way.
• People with disabilities and long-term health conditions: Cold homes can worsen existing health problems, making people with certain long-term conditions particularly vulnerable.
• Ethnic minority households: In 2025, fuel poverty affected 13.9% of households whose household reference person was in the “Other” ethnicity group, 12.0% in the Asian group and 11.8% in the Black group, compared with 8.9% in the White group.
• Households with children, especially single-parent households: In 2025, 18.1% of single-parent households in England were in fuel poverty, the highest rate among the household composition groups reported.

Many of these groups, particularly children, young people, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, face a higher risk of cold-related health problems.

Health Risks of Living in a Cold Home

Cold, damp and unsafe homes can affect physical and mental health and place additional pressure on health services. Research from the Institute of Health Equity examines these health inequalities and the wider impacts of fuel poverty.

Among other issues, low temperatures increase the risk of:

• Cardiovascular issues: Increased risk of strokes and heart attacks due to raised blood pressure.
• Respiratory infections: Higher likelihood of pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and COPD.
• Injury risks: Falls and other injuries caused by reduced strength and dexterity.
• Mental health decline: Worsening depression, anxiety, and stress.

Alongside the direct impact of cold households, other environmental factors such as damp and mould can aggravate long-term conditions, including asthma, chronic pain, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

The Graphnet Fuel Poverty Dashboard: A Data-Driven Solution

At Cheshire and Merseyside ICB, the Graphnet Fuel Poverty Dashboard has been implemented using population health data to identify individuals who are most vulnerable and in need of urgent intervention.

How Does the Dashboard Work?

1. Analyses population health data to identify those at risk (including people with COPD).
2. Categorises individuals based on priority needs as defined by Cheshire & Merseyside ICB.
3. Multi-agency teams proactively contact high-priority individuals to provide support and interventions.

Types of Support Provided

• Healthcare referrals: GP appointments and local Wellbeing Services.
• Energy assistance: Support from Affordable Warmth Units.
• Financial aid: Connection with Energy Plus Projects, a charity helping citizens access lower energy tariffs and warmer homes.

Download the fuel poverty case study