A detailed report has been prepared and three pilot studies have been undertaken which give focus, and provide information about, this essential rural issue.
Dispersed housing patterns and the nature of the rural housing stock mean rural areas face a major challenge when it comes to alleviating fuel poverty. We have been working with the Commission for Rural Communities and other national organisations as well as local authority members to trial a range of special approaches and rural solutions.
We will seek to provide quarterly progress bulletins. We believe that joined up thinking (including across service providers) can be of considerable value in tackling this extremely difficult and complex problem.
As a phase of this work - survey work has been undertaken in Durham, the East Riding of Yorkshire and in Shropshire.
It is our strong view that rural fuel poverty will be an increasing problem. It is more difficult to deal with because of rural dispersement patterns and rural housing characteristics.
We also believe that fuel poverty is a contributor in relation to many rural health issues and also limits the economic potential of many rural enterprises because it is so demanding of the purse of many rural people.
We do feel the problem is understated.
The study we have undertakenwith the CRC is really important but it is only be a start. We hope it will lead on to a wider study when this key rural problem can be examined in detail under the national microscope.
To view the full report click here.
