What energy uses matter? Fuel poverty beyond heating

Abstract

Fuel poverty policy seeks to make the use of energy affordable, particularly for those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable. But what uses of energy matter to the extent that they should be supported? In the UK energy for heating is readily seen as essential because of the need for people to keep warm and healthy in their homes. Fuel poverty policy does recognise the need for household expenditure on other forms of energy use but the rationale for seeing these as necessities that should be affordable for all has rarely been articulated. In our work we have examined the grounds on which a range of energy uses can be considered essential for enabling a minimally-decent quality of life. This research has implications for the scope of current fuel poverty policy