UK Government defines a fuel poor household as one that spends more than 10% of its total income on heating, hot water, lighting, etc.

It is thought that there are as many as 7.5 million households in England alone whose fuel spending is not adequate.

Fuel Poverty is worsened by all of th following factors.

- Low income
- Poor insulation
- Type (& cost) of fuel
- Inefficient or expensive heating system
- Under-occupation of large properties

Affordable Warmth has a range of benefits including:

- Improved comfort & health for householders
- Improved overall quality of housing stock
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Reduced cold weather burden on community health workers