The Countryside Alliance understands that fuel poverty is a problem that many people experience in all parts of the United Kingdom. There is, however, a particular issue faced by rural communities in view of the elevated rates and levels of fuel poverty experienced there, as well as in properties not connected to the gas grid, which are more prevalent in rural Britain.
A blanket restriction in eligibility for the payment risks hitting rural pensioners hardest. As the government’s own figures show, rural areas of Britain face higher rates and levels of fuel poverty, exacerbated by a greater reliance on more expensive heat sources than gas.
The Countryside Alliance has published a briefing note - which has been shared with MPs - on the topic of fuel poverty, providing background information on winter fuel payments, domestic heating fuel and replacement oil boilers.
The Countryside Alliance's position is clear. Withdrawing a benefit intended to help meet heating costs for all pensioners not qualifying for income-related benefits, some of whom will inevitably miss out only marginally, without reference to elevated rural heating costs risks exacerbating the rural premium: the added costs that residents must pay by virtue of living in a rural area.
We recommended that the government should look at an alternative means of withdrawing the payment from genuinely well-off households. Perhaps it might taper the benefit at higher income levels, as is already done with Child Benefit, instead of creating a cliff-edge.
Assessing income independently of benefit eligibility could, in theory, make it possible to set higher thresholds for those residing in rural properties, or alternatively for properties off the gas grid, which would go some way to addressing the disparity in heating costs.
Householders reliant on domestic heating fuel continue to face high prices. In addition to our suggested actions in relation to VAT, we would urge the government to work with suppliers to make it possible for customers to spread the cost of purchasing a tank of oil over time, just as other energy customers are able to pay their costs monthly.
We share concerns felt by many in rural areas about the prospect of a ban on replacement oil boiler installations. While the decarbonisation of heating is a valid long-term policy objective, we are unconvinced that alternative technologies are sufficiently mature to be relied upon, particularly in older rural homes.