This support will reduce the amount lessors need to charge and make the programme financially attractive to landlords. These changes will support up to 1 billion of investment in central heating systems spread over the next 7 years. Fuel Poverty 4. The English House Condition survey showed there were at least 4.3 million such households in 1996. The effects of fuel poverty are mainly health related.
Research shows cold homes are linked to winter mortality, ill-health and impaired quality of life.
The people most vulnerable to cold related ill-health are those aged 60 years or more, children, the disabled and chronically sick. An inter-ministerial group, jointly chaired by Helen Liddell and Lord Whitty, is considering the Government s overall strategy to the problem. For low income over-60 households, new HEES will offer efficient central heating systems as part of the Affordable Warmth Programme. For central heating systems installed under the Affordable Warmth Programme, boilers and radiators will be leased from commercial lessors. This will boost spending on the programme by bringing in private finance for boilers and radiators.