Fuel poverty

In June 2011, the Marmot Review Team was part of an expert panel reporting to the London Assembly investigation into Fuel Poverty.

Following this, panel members were asked by the investigation team to pull together a further submission to inform their next meeting. Therefore, in partnership with Energy for London, London Borough of Haringey, London Borough of Islington and National Energy Action, the Marmot Review Team pulled together a joint submission on alleviating fuel poverty in London with the following overarching recommendations:

Recommendation 1 - Fuel prices

Fuel prices continue to rise, without tighter controls and demands on fuel companies to keep prices affordable it will be very difficult to eradicate or reduce fuel poverty which is projected to increase. It is not sufficient to give payments to fuel poor households - these payments go to subsidise fuel companies. We urge the Mayor to lobby for action to reduce fuel prices and not to continue to subsidise energy companies.

Recommendation 2 - Household income

In times of increased unemployment and cuts to welfare spending it is very important that household incomes are sufficient to enable householders to keep their homes warm. This is a particular problem in London due to the increased cost of living in the capital. We urge the Mayor to continue his work in this area.

Recommendation 3 - Domestic energy efficiency

To address both fuel poverty and climate change it is important that improvements are made to the energy efficiency of homes, an activity that is challenging but not impossible in London. Domestic energy efficiency interventions should be based on evidence of what works from previous activities.

To read more about our work in this area, see our reports page on fuel poverty.