FUEL POVERTY, COLD HOMES AND HEALTH INEQUALITIES IN THE UK

In 2014, at the request of Friends of the Earth, the UCL Institute of Health Equity (IHE) looked at the health impacts of fuel poverty and cold homes. [...] 7 FUEL POVERTY, COLD HOMES AND HEALTH INEQUALITIES IN THE UK CONTENTS In 2021 and 2022 the global price of fuel increased rapidly, and in response the ‘energy price cap’ was increased in England, Wales and Scotland. [...] 8 FUEL POVERTY, COLD HOMES AND HEALTH INEQUALITIES IN THE UK CONTENTS chapter 2 THE DRIVERS OF FUEL POVERTY THE PRICE OF FUEL The real-term price of fuel in the UK rose steeply during the economic recession that began with the 2008 financial crisis. [...] In May 2022 the Healthy Homes Bill was introduced to the House of Lords, to “make provision for the delivery of healthy homes and neighbourhoods; to set out the principles that define a ‘healthy home’; to establish the office of the Healthy Homes Commissioner; and for connected purposes”. [...] 27 FUEL POVERTY, COLD HOMES AND HEALTH INEQUALITIES IN THE UK CONTENTS LONG-TERM In the long term, addressing the drivers of health inequalities including fuel poverty needs to be built into the foundations of the NHS, ‘from clinic to boardroom’.