Fuel Poverty in England: The North‑South Gap is Shrinking
When you think of fuel poverty you might picture the chilly, grey corridors of Northern councils and the bustling, sun‑lit streets of Southern England. But the new annual snapshot from the Open Data Institute (ODI) turns that assumption on its head. It turns out the South, historically less hit by the energy crunch, is catching up faster than you’d expect.
What the ODI’s Risk Index Is All About
The ODI’s Fuel Poverty Risk Index pulls together more data than any other source for England. It not only looks at two basic numbers (heat bills and house insulation), but also fattens them out with climate, income, deprivation, benefits, and housing stock. The result is a single, easy‑to‑read score for every local authority in the country.
Key Findings from the 2023 Update
- Overall Index Rise – The average risk score jumped from 39.0 in 2022 to 41.2 in 2023, signalling a national uptick in fuel poverty.
- Remote North‑South Shift – The biggest year‑on‑year increases appear in the South‑East and South‑West, even though these areas tout the highest average incomes.
- Only 15 % of the 290 local authorities improved – A staggering 85 % saw the same or higher risk.
- 3.6 M Missing Voices – The ODI warns that the official fuel poverty figures may be severely under‑estimating the number of people in struggle, because the low‑energy‑efficiency cut‑off (EPC rating D or lower) excludes many households that still can’t afford their bills.
- Top‑risk Local Authorities – Blackpool is still the No. 1 hotspot, with a rising propensity for fuel poverty.
- Benefits on the Rise – Universal Credit claim rates climbed from 13.2 % to 14.2 % across England between 2022 and 2023.
Why the South‑East and South‑West are Surprising
Conventional wisdom suggested the North bore the brunt of the heat‑bill crisis. However, the latest data say otherwise: pockets in the South‑East now face strain that rivals the Nordgers, thanks in part to a slowdown in the cost of living bailouts (the “Universal Help” cliff in April 2023) and a lag in targeting those who truly need assistance.
Voices from the Front Lines
Resham Kotecha, ODI Policy Head: “We’re building a data toolkit that lets governments, charities, and energy companies focus on the right neighbourhoods, avoid mis‑directed help, and use taxpayer money where it matters most.”
Dr Tom Kerridge, Centrepoint: “The new analysis shows that Blackpool is still a killer hit, but tells us there are hidden hot spots like Devon’s Torridge that need urgent attention.”
Simon Francis, End Fuel Poverty Co‑ordinator: “The energy crisis is far from over. Winter’s coming, and folks in the No. 1 risk areas will need more than hand‑outs – they need systemic, long‑term upgrades to their homes.”
What’s Next for the ODI?
The ODI plans to roll out ongoing updates of the fuel‑poverty index, tying it into broader social‑challenge data (such as the “Cost of Living” study) to keep the public and decision‑makers in the loop.
In short: the North‑South fissure is narrowing, but the fight is far from over. With sharper data, sharper action, and a few more humour‑filled newsletters, England can finally keep everyone toasty.
