New report reveals millions unable to heat homes due to cost of living crisis
Millions of low-income households cannot afford to keep warm, a new study has found, with 2.5 million people unable to pay for heating and food.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s (JRF) analysis found 710,000 households are unable to heat their homes to the 18C recommended for vulnerable people by the UK Health and Security Agency.
According to JRF, more than 7 million households have gone without essentials since June.
Rachelle Earwaker, senior economist at JRF, said the government “must see that families won’t be able to get through the winter.”
She explained: “We’re still experiencing historically high inflation and the prices of essentials are still soaring.
“Energy bills, while capped, are still almost double what they were last winter.
“Housing shortages, rising rents and mortgage payments are overburdening budgets across the country.
“The dangerously cold weather on the horizon is cause for concern.
“People are being forced to wager their financial health and whether they can afford more debt, against their wellbeing without sufficient heat, clothing or hot food.”
