University of Ulster researcher Professor Christine Liddell has warned that levels of fuel poverty are expected to increase in Northern Ireland as improvements in energy efficiency are negated by increasing fuel costs.

The warning comes in a report co-authored by Professor Liddell for the Institute of Public Health (IPH) published today

“The economic downturn is placing more people at risk of fuel poverty, as unemployment and dependency on welfare benefits rises.,” she said.

“A number of steps could help reduce the likelihood of fuel poverty such as improving the energy efficiency of homes and fitting ‘smart metering’ and better commitment to standards in rental accommodation.”

With 70% of homes in Northern Ireland relying on oil for heating, and oil prices soaring even more than prices for other fuel, the region has been hit particularly hard in recent months, the report says.  

The number of people dying as a result of cold has increased steadily in Northern Ireland since 2003. There was a 23% increase in the number of people dying in the winter of 2008, compared to the winter of 2007. Excess winter deaths are now approaching 1,000 per year in Northern Ireland.

IPH Chief Executive, Dr Jane Wilde said: “The current economic downturn presents a formidable challenge to tackling fuel poverty on the island, creating pressure for the development of new and innovative approaches. There have been considerable improvements in energy efficiency in the residential sector, but progress could be faster and increasingly concentrated on reaching people who are fuel poor.”

The most recent figure for fuel poverty in Northern Ireland shows a rate of 34% of households living in fuel poverty in 2006, though estimates for early 2009 suggest that this figure may have increased to 44%.

The report shows a high level of activity on fuel poverty in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, stemming from a pattern of rising fuel poverty rates in recent years combined with the economic downturn and a period of severe cold last winter.

Download full report:

http://www.publichealth.ie/publications/annualupdateonfuelpovertyandhealth0

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young