Mayor of London - Warmer Homes

1. Warmer Homes
12 February 2019

2. Fuel poverty defined
Fuel poverty in England is currently measured using the Low Income High Costs
(LIHC) indicator.
Under the LIHC indicator, a household is considered to be fuel poor if:
- they have required fuel costs that are above average (the national median level)
- were they to spend that amount, they would be left with a residual income
below the official poverty line

3. Fuel poverty in London
As of 2017, 398,000 households in London were fuel poor (11.8%).
Fuel poverty is at its highest level since 2003
Newham has the highest level of fuel poverty of any district in
England. Six other boroughs are in the worst 10%
FP rank Local authority area % FP
1 Newham 19.1
14 Brent 14.9
17 Waltham Forest 14.6
18 Haringey 14.5
24 Redbridge 13.7
27 Ealing 13.6
28 Harrow 13.6

4. Excess winter deaths and illness
• For the most recent winter where we have data (2017/18), there
were 27% more deaths in winter than the rest of the year – 4,200
deaths
• This was the highest level since 1999/2000
• Around 30% of these can be attributed directly to cold homes
• For each death there are 6-7 unplanned hospital admissions,
placing a high seasonal burden on the NHS
• Groups most affected by winter mortality and morbidity are older
people with existing heart and lung conditions but also young
children

5. Our main fuel poverty programmes
• Warmer Homes
• Warmer Homes Advice Service
• Retrofit Accelerator
• London Power

6. Warmer Homes Advice Service
Established in February 2018 (as Fuel Poverty Support Fund) to knit
together existing borough advice services into a pan-London fuel
poverty advice and referral service
Three boroughs: Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, and Lewisham
currently deliver the service between them
Almost 4,200 households supported so far. This is the main route for
Warmer Homes referrals

7. Warmer Homes
Launched January 2018. Delivering heating, insulation and ventilation
measures to owner-occupiers and private tenants in or at risk of fuel
poverty. Grant of up to £4,000
First phase ran until summer 2019. Measures installed in 1,157 homes
across London
New phase launching by the beginning of March. Almost 1,200 homes
to be helped to March 2021

8. Warmer Homes eligibility
Owner occupiers and private tenants
Standard: Means-tested and disability benefits, tax credits
Flexible: Low incomes and certain health conditions – signed off by
designated boroughs

9. Our offer
To work with Disabled Facilities Grant managers to reach more
households and reduce fuel poverty, winter hospital admissions and
excess winter deaths. Alongside this to identify unsafe housing and
homes in need of adaptation

10. Contact
John Kolm-Murray
Programme Manager – Energy (Interim)
020 7983 4451
john.kolm-murray@london.gov.uk