West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 40 41 FUEL POVERTY12 Increasing energy costs mean that the number of households in fuel poverty is rising. National Energy Action estimated that in October 2021 there were 4.5 million UK households in fuel poverty. As of 1 Oct 2024, this figure has risen to 6 million13 with estimates suggesting that the typical household pays £1,568 a year in energy bills. The most recent Government estimates for households in fuel poverty in West Cumbria are from 2021, and it is likely that these figures have increased due to rising energy bills from 2021 onwards.14 In 2021, it was estimated that in Copeland and Workington Parliamentary Constituencies there were 10,973 households in fuel poverty (Copeland Constituency 5,245; Workington Constituency 5,728). Citizen’s Advice Allerdale and Citizens Advice Copeland delivered more fuel debt assistance in 2023 (892) than in 2022 (601). They also report that client issues are becoming more complex and as a result are taking longer to deal with. According to the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero, in 2024, single parent households were most likely to be fuel poor (25%), followed by couples with children (10%) and one person households including those under 60 (13%) and over 60 (12%). 10% of couples over 60 were also likely to be fuel poor. Improving the energy efficiency of homes is one way to reduce fuel poverty, and in England, between 2023 and 2024, 52,000 households were moved out of fuel poverty due to energy efficiency measures.15 FOOD POVERTY16 Food poverty is a growing problem for households across the UK, exacerbated by the increasing costs of food, often as a result of the rising cost of fuel. Food and non-alcoholic drink prices were 19.1% higher in the 12 months to March 2023, the highest since 1977. In July 2023, food inflation stood at 14.8%. The number of people in food insecure households rose to 7.2million in 2022/2023 affecting 11% of UK population), an increase of 2.5 million people since 2021/2022.17 Children are more likely than adults to be in food insecure households.18 An increase in food poverty is leading to more people using food banks. In 2023/2024 the Trussell Trust distributed 3.1million food parcels to 1.2 million people, a 94% rise in parcels provided compared to five years ago. 1.1 million emergency food parcels were distributed for children by food banks in the Trussell Trust network with an increasing number of parcels (179,000) going to households with someone aged 65+.19 A survey conducted by the Financial Conduct Authority in January 202320 found that when asked about the burden of keeping up with domestic bills and credit commitments, 1 in 5 (21%) described it as a heavy burden (up from 15% in May 2022) and just over half (51%) as somewhat of a burden (up from 45% in May 2022). The associated toll on mental wellbeing is considerable with just over 1 in 2 UK adults, or 28.4 million people, being more anxious or stressed due to the rising cost of living. Faced with rising costs people are using savings and debt to pay for essentials. Debt advice charities including Stepchange and Citizens Advice are reporting an increase in debt advice clients. A survey21 conducted in April 2025 in Great Britain found that when asked “have you had to borrow more money or use more credit than usual in the last month, compared to a year ago?” 22% of respondents said yes. When asked “in view of the general economic situation, do you think you will be able to save any money in the next 12 months?” 35% of respondents said no. Key Statistics 02/01/2024 - 30/12/2024 SUMMARY FOR WEST CUMBRIA Quick Client Contacts 670 Clients 4,447 Issues 35,927 Activities 25,597 Cases 6,154 OUTCOMES Income gain £7,393,302 Re-imbursements, £111,526 services, loans Debts written off £1,353,042 Repayments £1,915,530 rescheduled Other £914,672 ISSUES ISSUES CLIENTS Benefits & tax credits 12,156 2,134 Benefits Universal Credit 3,916 997 Charitable Support & Food Banks 2,065 848 Consumer goods & services 1,121 547 Debt 7,413 1,057 Education 47 22 Employment 404 199 Financial services & capability 1,500 452 GVA & Hate Crime 21 12 Health & community care 294 150 Housing 1,434 579 Immigration & asylum 73 42 Legal 347 212 Other 1,140 1,012 Relationships & family 583 325 Tax 93 69 Travel & transport 444 349 Utilities & communications 2,876 701 TOTAL 35,927 CHANNEL Video Call Other Letter In Person Web Chat Email Adviceline Phone Telephone 14,722 57.5% 6,160 24.1% 2,599 10.2% 1,978 7.7% TOP BENEFIT ISSUES Personal Independence Payment Council tax reduction Attendance Allowance General Benefit Entitlement Employment Support Allowance Limited capability for work element Housing element Pension Credit Initial Claim Carers Allowance 5,168 1,137 1,134 1,100 987 981 704 551 515 TOP DEBT ISSUES Council tax arrears Debt Assessment Fuel debts Credit, store & charge card debts Debt Relief Order Rent arrears - housing associations Breathing Space Moratorium Water supply & sewerage debts Other Debt UC advance payment/budgeting a... 1,375 933 741 410 370 367 366 348 331 288 0K 1K 2K 3K 4K 5K 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 GENDER 58% 42% Female Male Prefer different terms 62% 8% Long-term health condition Disabled Not disabled / no health problems 30% DISABILITY / LONG-TERM HEALTH 98% White Black ETHNICITY Other Asian Mixed AGE 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85-89 90-94 95-99 0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% 11% 38 152 238 380 443 384 307 396 451 432 445 265 233 155 70 28 6 493
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