Fuel poor 'not aware of support'

Any energy cost increases will increase fuel poverty

More than 80% of households in fuel poverty in Devon and Cornwall are not aware of available support, the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) has said.

Fuel poverty is defined as when energy, heating and cooking usage cost more than 10% of the household's net income.

Of about 620,000 households in Devon and 215,000 in Cornwall, about 122,000 across both counties suffer.

A new advice project by the CAB and EDF Energy is to help the more than 97,000 households see what help is available.

'Provide support'

Marie Spiers, an energy advice development worker for Plymouth CAB, said it was a "concern" that so many people did not know about the support they could receive.

She said: "There are a range of ways people can get help. It could be a social tariff, free or subsidised insulation or grants from a trust fund.

"We all need to work together to make sure people know about the support and access it."

EDF Energy said that it did offer help but admitted many may not be aware of it.

Steve Hayfield from the firm said: "Once we can reach those customers [to inform them] that there is help from us, we provide great support for them.

"But it is about reaching customers and showing the things that we offer."

Fuel poverty is set to increase as fossil fuels become more scarce.

Phone and online schemes, such as Cozy Devon, hope to point people in the right direction for help.