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