WIREDGOV

Rural Advocate visits rural communities to view initiatives to combat fuel poverty

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 15 September 2009

On Wednesday 16 September Dr. Stuart Burgess the Government’s Rural Advocate and Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) is visiting County Durham to see projects in place to tackle rural fuel poverty.

A quarter of all those in fuel poverty live in rural areas. As many as 42 per cent of rural homes are not connected to mains gas and therefore have to rely on more expensive fuels and are also not eligible for ‘dual fuel’ discounts. In addition, a third of rural homes have solid walls which are much more costly to insulate yet just 10 per cent of Warm Front energy efficiency grants go to households in rural areas.

Dr. Burgess will be meeting members and officials from Durham County Council to explore measures in place to tackle fuel poverty and identify locations to take part in a rural fuel poverty pilot scheme initiated by the CRC.

Speaking ahead of his visit Dr. Burgess said “I am looking forward to visiting County Durham to see the progress that is being made to tackle rural fuel poverty. People in rural areas face many of the same causes of fuel poverty as their urban counterparts but there are also some additional challenges, especially the high cost of alternative fuels such as oil or bottled gas.

“We welcome Government’s calls for suppliers to reflect lower wholesale costs in consumers' bills but much more needs to be done to help vulnerable rural households afford to pay their fuel bills.

“It is vital that households are helped to become more energy efficient. Grants for insulation and modern heating are hugely important but many rural homes are not suitable for existing energy saving measures. It is crucial, therefore, that other options such as solid wall insulation or renewable technologies like solar heating are explored. Today’s visit is part of the CRC’s continuing work to highlight and help improve the situation for rural communities.”

The CRC has invited Durham County Council, along with Shropshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire, to take part in a year-long pilot scheme to understand the full impact of fuel poverty in rural areas. The pilot, named ‘Hands Up’ will include reducing levels of rural fuel poverty, saving money, saving energy and working with local communities. The findings will be used to advise Government on ways of combating fuel poverty and addressing energy conservation. The Rural Services Network is working with the CRC to deliver the project.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1 The visit on 16 September will involve a tour of East Durham and Weardale visiting Easington, Tow Law and South Church Tour and include visits to residents who have received support under the Government’s Warm Front scheme.

2 Further details of the Rural Services Network’s involvement in the rural fuel poverty pilot scheme can be found at:
www.rsnonline.org.uk/services/major-study-into-rural-fuel-poverty.html

3 Fuel poverty is when a household needs to spend more than 10 per cent of income on domestic energy use including lighting and heating their home to an adequate level of warmth.

4 Warm Front is the Government-funded initiative to help make homes warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient. Fitted correctly, solar thermal panels can provide up to 60% of a typical household’s hot water needs – providing a cost effective and environmentally preferable alternative to fuels such as oil.

5 The CRC was established in April 2005 and became an independent body on 1 October 2006, following the enactment of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, 2006. The role of the CRC is to provide well-informed, independent advice to Government and ensure that policies reflect the real needs and circumstances of people living and working in rural England. We give particular focus to tackling disadvantage and economic under-performance.

We have three key functions:
• advocate: the voice for rural people, business and communities;
• expert adviser: providing evidence-based, objective advice to Government and others; and
• independent watchdog: monitoring and reporting on the delivery of policies nationally, regionally and locally.

Further information about the CRC and its work can be found at: www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk

For further information contact Chris Wynne-Davies on 01242 534070

Contacts:

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Chris Wynne-Davies
Phone: 01242 534070
chris.wynne-davies@ruralcommunities.gov.uk