Fuel poverty is on the rise. In 2012, there were 2.28 million households unable to meet their heating costs and government expects this to rise to 2.33 million by the end of this year due to the growing cost of energy bills. The latest official figures show that 41% of the lowest income families are in fuel poverty, but despite assumptions this is not a problem confined to older people. Families with children and working age households now make up 70% of those in fuel poverty, while those living in privately rented accomodation or where residents are unemployed are most likely to be struggling to meet their energy needs.
More than a third of people facing fuel poverty have either a disability or a long term illness, many of whom may be unable to work. The vast majority (80%) of people living in fuel poverty who can work do so - but spiralling energy costs means work does not always solve their problem.
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