Around half of all families with children in Northern Ireland could be living in fuel poverty this winter - according to a new report by Ulster researcher Professor Christine Liddell, commissioned by Save the Children.

The report – The impact of fuel poverty on children -  was launched at Stormont today.

The report states that in 2004, 12% of families were living in fuel poverty here – a figure that more than doubled to 27% by 2006.

When the subsequent rise in energy price rises is factored into the 2006 fuel poverty statistics – then today, 50% of families with children here could be living in fuel poverty and facing a bleak and miserable Christmas.

Professor Liddell said: “The most up to date statistics we have from 2006 show that there were more than 50,000 households in Northern Ireland that were cold, damp and unsuitable for the children who lived in them.   But we believe that in the intervening two years, this figure could have almost doubled.

“The biggest driver of increases in fuel poverty rates is the cost of domestic heating.  And while domestic energy prices fell by 2% in 2007, they rose by 27% between January and September of this year.

“The fuel poverty rate among families with children here is one of the highest in the developed world.  Indeed, when compared to other UK regional areas, Northern Ireland has significantly higher rates.  Lone parent families are hardest-hit.”

Anne Moore of Save the Children said: “Save the Children's main focus in Northern Ireland is to end child poverty and we are concerned that nearly one in three children is living in poverty. 

“Now Professor Liddell's research has revealed the huge impact of fuel poverty on children and young people.  She has shown that almost half of families with children could be living in fuel-poor homes. 

“That means parents are having to choose between putting food on the table and turning on the heat. This is an outrage in one of the richest countries in the world.

“But the research also shows that fuel poverty can be eradicated, so we are calling on the Executive to adopt the Fuel Poverty Children's Charter Professor Liddell outlines in the report as a first step. Let's take this research and do something now for the poorest children in Northern Ireland.”

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young