The rising energy price cap and persistently high energy costs mean more households are facing a difficult choice: heating their homes or affording other essentials. In West Lindsey, one in seven households was already in fuel poverty when the energy crisis began.
What is fuel poverty and who is at risk?
Fuel poverty means a household is living on a lower income in a home that cannot be kept warm at a reasonable cost. This is driven by three main factors: low income, high energy prices, and poor energy efficiency.
Households most at risk in Gainsborough and wider West Lindsey include:
- Households with children (especially lone-parent families)
- Private renters, as these properties often have poorer insulation and less efficient heating systems
- Older people and those with a disability or long-term illness, who often need to heat their homes for longer periods
- Households living in older, less energy-efficient homes
- Those relying on prepayment meters or off-grid heating sources
Living in a cold, damp home is a public health emergency that can cause or worsen serious illnesses, including respiratory and circulatory conditions, cardiovascular disease, and mental health problems.
- Cold homes contribute to thousands of excess winter deaths each year in the UK.
- Children living in cold housing are more likely to suffer from health problems and can fall behind at school.
- The annual cost to the NHS of treating winter-related diseases due to cold housing is estimated to be over a billion pounds.
Citizens Advice Lincoln and Lindsey is running a project to support clients in West Lindsey with their energy issues. They can help with:
- Dealing with incorrect bills
- Affording energy costs
- Improving the energy efficiency of properties
- And more
They offer advice over the phone, face-to-face at the Guildhall and at various outreaches across West Lindsey.
To check dates and locations, visit their Facebook page (Citizens Advice Lincoln & Lindsey), or to receive direct advice call their adviceline on 0808 278 7904.