More than a million families with children under 16 will endure fuel poverty this Christmas, according to a recent analysis.
Data derived from government statistics indicates that 17.6% of households with children under 16 are struggling to heat their homes, compared to 13% of all households in 2023.
Regions such as the West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber have been identified as the hardest hit by fuel poverty, as highlighted in a study by the Liberal Democrats.
The analysis further reveals that in 2023, 36.4% of households – equating to 8.91 million people – spent over 10% of their income, after housing costs, on energy bills. This marks a worrying 9% increase from the previous year.
Escalating Energy Costs Post-Pandemic
The surge in global gas, electricity, and oil prices, which began during the summer of 2021 following pandemic lockdowns, continues to burden households.
The energy price cap for the October to December 2024 period has been set at £1,717 – a 41% rise compared to winter 2021/22. This figure is expected to climb even higher to £1,738 in January.
In England alone, there are now 1.08 million fuel-poor households with children aged 15 or under, the analysis shows.
Families with Disabled Children Hit Hardest
Families with disabled children are disproportionately affected by high energy costs, as their circumstances often demand greater electricity use.
Isoken, a mother of four from England, shared her struggles. At 49, she cares for her 19-year-old autistic son Kelly alongside his three siblings, aged 17, 16, and 15.
“Our biggest costs are food and electricity,” she told The Independent.
She explained the additional energy expenses required to support her son: “I wash his clothes three to four times a week because he often soils them, and he won’t re-wear clothes once used. The tumble dryer is an extra cost, but we do so much washing that without it, the house would be overrun with clothes.”
Supported by the charity Family Fund, Isoken has been able to afford essentials such as a fridge freezer, tumble dryer, and iPad for Kelly.
“I keep the house bright for him as he can see lights and shadows. This adds to the electricity bill, but it’s necessary for his well-being,” she added.
Pressures on Working Parents
Alana, another mother benefiting from Family Fund’s support, also faces mounting costs.
While receiving housing benefit and child disability payments, she finds her utilities and petrol costs to be the most pressing financial concerns.
“You can’t avoid using utilities or petrol,” she explained. Despite working part-time, her financial situation remains precarious, highlighting the challenges many families face in managing rising living costs.
With energy prices showing no signs of stabilising, the outlook for families this winter remains dire, particularly for those already struggling to make ends meet.
