Fuel poverty is not just an issue of rising energy expenses. It’s a growing crisis that’s stripping away the dignity of those in their final days. The report, ‘Dying in Poverty 2024’ by charity Marie Curie, shone a light on the devastating truth that tens of thousands of people every year spend their last moments in homes they can’t afford to heat.
Fuel poverty, the silent killer
Marie Curie’s latest report revealed that in 2022, 128,000 people died as a result of fuel poverty. Many of these individuals were living with terminal illnesses, relying on medical equipment and spending the majority of their time at home, conditions that drastically increased their energy consumption.
For those already vulnerable, unaffordable energy bills can become life-threatening. Higher energy requirements, power for essential medical equipment, and more time indoors results in keeping up with ever-rising energy bills being simply impossible to keep up with.
Dr Sam Royston, Executive Director of Policy and Research at Marie Curie, says ‘No one should have to spend their final days worrying about money or whether they can afford to heat their home.’
Statistics impossible to ignore
The scale of this issue should be impossible to ignore. Every year, an estimated 10,400 people die in poverty, which works out at around 1 in 4 working age adults, and 1 in 6 pensioners – a significant increase from the 1 in 8 pensioners 5 years ago. But the heartbreaking statistics don’t stop there. 128,000 people died in cold, dark, and uncomfortable conditions during 2022, and recent research highlights that women, pensioners, and those near the end of life are more likely to die in poverty than the general population. The report is a clear reflection of how all people, including the most vulnerable, are being failed, and the consequence is death.
Warmth is not a luxury
Research conducted by Loughborough University reveals that those in fuel poverty are forced to spend a disproportionate amount of their income on energy, which in turn leaves them below the threshold for basic living standards. This is no longer just an economic issue, but a moral one too.
Marie Curie is directing the government to act with urgency to reduce the crisis of fuel poverty and poverty as a whole. A key recommendation is to introduce a National Social Tariff, which would ensure vulnerable individuals are protected from rising energy prices and could alleviate as much as 45% of people out of fuel poverty. In addition to this, the charity recommends that the Warm Home Discount should be expanded to include restoration of the winter fuel payments, and a guaranteed pension level income for all people who are terminally ill with less than 12 months to live. It’s believed the introduction of this discount will ensure people are not left to financially struggle in their final days. These recommendations urge the UK government to develop a strategic plan to tackle poverty and fuel poverty, with better identification of those living with a terminal illness to deliver support where needed.
No one should die cold and afraid and all should have the option to leave this earth with their dignity intact. Human rights shouldn’t be a compromise based on what an individual can or cannot afford, and it should be recognised that warmth isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity.
Reducing fuel poverty with retrofit solutions
At Westdale Midlands, we believe no one should face their days in a cold, unsafe home. That’s why we’re committed to working closely with councils and housing associations to upgrade homes, making them warmer, more comfortable and more energy efficient. This in turn, promotes a reduction in energy bills, improving the physical and mental health of residents. We’re proud to play an active role in doing what we can to reduce the impact of fuel poverty in the UK.
Learn more about how our whole home solutions can support the future and health of your residents. View our services, or get in touch with us to discuss your next project.
