Fuel Poverty Scenario Modelling based on Ofgem Energy Price Caps - up to January to March 2026
Part of
Annex A
Table 3: Fuel poverty levels (000s) by rural urban classification
|
Urban/Rural Classification |
2022 SHCS |
2023 SHCS |
Jan to Mar 24 |
Apr to Jun 24 |
Jul to Sep 24 |
Oct to Dec 24 |
Jan to Mar 25 |
Apr to Jun 25 |
Jul to Sep 25 |
Oct to Dec 25 |
Jan to Mar 26 |
|
Large urban areas |
272 |
317 |
300 |
280 |
270 |
290 |
290 |
300 |
290 |
290 |
290 |
|
Other urban areas |
246 |
300 |
300 |
280 |
270 |
290 |
290 |
300 |
290 |
290 |
290 |
|
Accessible small towns |
88 |
69 |
70 |
60 |
50 |
60 |
60 |
70 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
|
Remote small towns |
27 |
29 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
|
Urban Subtotal |
633 |
715 |
710 |
660 |
620 |
680 |
680 |
710 |
670 |
690 |
690 |
|
Accessible rural |
84 |
85 |
80 |
70 |
70 |
80 |
70 |
80 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
|
Remote rural |
63 |
61 |
70 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
70 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
|
Rural Subtotal |
147 |
146 |
150 |
140 |
130 |
140 |
140 |
140 |
140 |
140 |
140 |
|
All |
780 |
861 |
850 |
800 |
760 |
820 |
820 |
850 |
810 |
830 |
830 |
Table 4: Fuel poverty rates by rural urban classification
|
Urban/Rural Classification |
2022 SHCS |
2023 SHCS |
Jan to Mar 24 |
Apr to Jun 24 |
Jul to Sep 24 |
Oct to Dec 24 |
Jan to Mar 25 |
Apr to Jun 25 |
Jul to Sep 25 |
Oct to Dec 25 |
Jan to Mar 26 |
|
Large urban areas |
31 |
33 |
33 |
32 |
30 |
32 |
32 |
34 |
32 |
33 |
33 |
|
Other urban areas |
28 |
35 |
34 |
32 |
30 |
33 |
33 |
34 |
32 |
33 |
33 |
|
Accessible small towns |
34 |
32 |
30 |
25 |
23 |
28 |
27 |
31 |
27 |
28 |
28 |
|
Remote small towns |
34 |
41 |
43 |
40 |
38 |
41 |
41 |
42 |
41 |
41 |
41 |
|
Urban Subtotal |
30 |
34 |
34 |
31 |
29 |
32 |
32 |
34 |
32 |
32 |
33 |
|
Accessible rural |
30 |
31 |
29 |
27 |
26 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
|
Remote rural |
47 |
44 |
44 |
43 |
42 |
43 |
43 |
43 |
43 |
43 |
43 |
|
Rural Subtotal |
47 |
35 |
36 |
33 |
31 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
|
All |
31 |
34 |
34 |
32 |
30 |
32 |
32 |
34 |
32 |
33 |
33 |
Table 5: Extreme fuel poverty levels (000's) by rural urban classification
|
Urban/Rural Classification |
2022 SHCS |
2023 SHCS |
Jan to Mar 24 |
Apr to Jun 24 |
Jul to Sep 24 |
Oct to Dec 24 |
Jan to Mar 25 |
Apr to Jun 25 |
Jul to Sep 25 |
Oct to Dec 25 |
Jan to Mar 26 |
|
Large urban areas |
142 |
173 |
160 |
140 |
130 |
140 |
140 |
150 |
140 |
140 |
150 |
|
Other urban areas |
140 |
160 |
150 |
130 |
120 |
140 |
140 |
150 |
140 |
140 |
140 |
|
Accessible small towns |
61 |
40 |
40 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
40 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
|
Remote small towns |
17 |
15 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
|
Urban Subtotal |
361 |
389 |
380 |
320 |
290 |
330 |
330 |
360 |
330 |
330 |
340 |
|
Accessible rural |
54 |
61 |
60 |
50 |
40 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
|
Remote rural |
50 |
41 |
40 |
40 |
30 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
|
Rural Subtotal |
104 |
103 |
100 |
90 |
70 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
|
All |
465 |
491 |
480 |
410 |
370 |
420 |
420 |
460 |
410 |
420 |
430 |
Table 6: Extreme fuel poverty rates by rural urban classification
|
Urban/Rural Classification |
2022 SHCS |
2023 SHCS |
Jan to Mar 24 |
Apr to Jun 24 |
Jul to Sep 24 |
Oct to Dec 24 |
Jan to Mar 25 |
Apr to Jun 25 |
Jul to Sep 25 |
Oct to Dec 25 |
Jan to Mar 26 |
|
Large urban areas |
16 |
18 |
18 |
15 |
14 |
16 |
16 |
17 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
|
Other urban areas |
16 |
19 |
17 |
15 |
14 |
15 |
15 |
17 |
15 |
15 |
16 |
|
Accessible small towns |
25 |
19 |
18 |
13 |
12 |
14 |
13 |
17 |
13 |
14 |
14 |
|
Remote small towns |
23 |
21 |
22 |
19 |
17 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
|
Urban Subtotal |
17 |
18 |
18 |
15 |
14 |
16 |
16 |
17 |
15 |
16 |
16 |
|
Accessible rural |
20 |
23 |
21 |
18 |
15 |
18 |
18 |
19 |
18 |
18 |
18 |
|
Remote rural |
35 |
30 |
29 |
24 |
22 |
25 |
25 |
27 |
25 |
25 |
26 |
|
Rural Subtotal |
25 |
25 |
24 |
21 |
17 |
21 |
21 |
22 |
20 |
21 |
21 |
|
All |
19 |
19 |
19 |
16 |
15 |
16 |
16 |
18 |
16 |
17 |
17 |
Table 7: Fuel poverty levels (000s) by household tenure
|
Tenure |
2022 SHCS |
2023 SHCS |
Jan to Mar 24 |
Apr to Jun 24 |
Jul to Sep 24 |
Oct to Dec 24 |
Jan to Mar 25 |
Apr to Jun 25 |
Jul to Sep 25 |
Oct to Dec 25 |
Jan to Mar 26 |
|
Owned outright |
278 |
241 |
240 |
230 |
220 |
240 |
230 |
240 |
230 |
240 |
240 |
|
Mortgaged |
89 |
94 |
90 |
80 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
90 |
80 |
90 |
90 |
|
Owner Occupied Subtotal |
367 |
336 |
330 |
310 |
290 |
320 |
320 |
330 |
310 |
320 |
320 |
|
LA |
175 |
228 |
230 |
210 |
200 |
220 |
220 |
230 |
220 |
220 |
220 |
|
HA |
114 |
165 |
160 |
160 |
150 |
160 |
160 |
170 |
160 |
160 |
160 |
|
Social Rented Subtotal |
289 |
393 |
390 |
370 |
350 |
380 |
380 |
400 |
370 |
380 |
380 |
|
Private Rented |
124 |
132 |
130 |
120 |
120 |
120 |
120 |
130 |
120 |
120 |
120 |
|
All |
780 |
861 |
850 |
800 |
760 |
820 |
820 |
850 |
810 |
830 |
830 |
Table 8: Fuel poverty rates by household tenure
|
Tenure |
2022 SHCS |
2023 SHCS |
Jan to Mar 24 |
Apr to Jun 24 |
Jul to Sep 24 |
Oct to Dec 24 |
Jan to Mar 25 |
Apr to Jun 25 |
Jul to Sep 25 |
Oct to Dec 25 |
Jan to Mar 26 |
|
Owned outright |
28 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
23 |
25 |
24 |
25 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
|
Mortgaged |
14 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
14 |
13 |
14 |
14 |
|
Owner Occupied Subtotal |
22 |
21 |
21 |
20 |
18 |
20 |
20 |
21 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
|
LA |
48 |
61 |
61 |
57 |
53 |
58 |
58 |
61 |
58 |
59 |
59 |
|
HA |
47 |
60 |
60 |
57 |
54 |
58 |
59 |
61 |
58 |
59 |
59 |
|
Social Rented Subtotal |
48 |
61 |
60 |
57 |
54 |
59 |
59 |
61 |
58 |
59 |
59 |
|
Private Rented |
44 |
44 |
43 |
41 |
39 |
41 |
41 |
43 |
41 |
41 |
41 |
|
All |
31 |
34 |
34 |
32 |
30 |
32 |
32 |
34 |
32 |
33 |
33 |
Table 9: Extreme fuel poverty levels (000's) by household tenure
|
Tenure |
2022 SHCS |
2023 SHCS |
Jan to Mar 24 |
Apr to Jun 24 |
Jul to Sep 24 |
Oct to Dec 24 |
Jan to Mar 25 |
Apr to Jun 25 |
Jul to Sep 25 |
Oct to Dec 25 |
Jan to Mar 26 |
|
Owned outright |
190 |
169 |
160 |
140 |
120 |
140 |
140 |
160 |
140 |
140 |
140 |
|
Mortgaged |
44 |
42 |
40 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
40 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
|
Owner Occupied Subtotal |
234 |
211 |
200 |
170 |
150 |
180 |
170 |
190 |
170 |
180 |
180 |
|
LA |
92 |
123 |
120 |
100 |
100 |
110 |
110 |
120 |
110 |
110 |
110 |
|
HA |
66 |
82 |
80 |
70 |
60 |
70 |
70 |
80 |
70 |
70 |
80 |
|
Social Rented Subtotal |
157 |
205 |
200 |
180 |
160 |
180 |
180 |
200 |
180 |
180 |
180 |
|
Private Rented |
74 |
75 |
70 |
60 |
50 |
60 |
60 |
70 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
|
All |
465 |
491 |
480 |
410 |
370 |
420 |
420 |
460 |
410 |
420 |
430 |
Table 10: Extreme fuel poverty rates by household tenure
|
Tenure |
2022 SHCS |
2023 SHCS |
Jan to Mar 24 |
Apr to Jun 24 |
Jul to Sep 24 |
Oct to Dec 24 |
Jan to Mar 25 |
Apr to Jun 25 |
Jul to Sep 25 |
Oct to Dec 25 |
Jan to Mar 26 |
|
Owned outright |
19 |
18 |
17 |
15 |
13 |
15 |
15 |
17 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
|
Mortgaged |
7 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Owner Occupied Subtotal |
14 |
13 |
13 |
11 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
LA |
25 |
33 |
32 |
28 |
26 |
29 |
29 |
31 |
29 |
29 |
29 |
|
HA |
27 |
30 |
30 |
27 |
23 |
27 |
26 |
30 |
26 |
26 |
28 |
|
Social Rented Subtotal |
26 |
32 |
31 |
28 |
25 |
28 |
28 |
30 |
27 |
28 |
28 |
|
Private Rented |
26 |
25 |
25 |
19 |
17 |
20 |
20 |
22 |
20 |
20 |
21 |
|
All |
19 |
19 |
19 |
16 |
15 |
16 |
16 |
18 |
16 |
17 |
17 |
Table 11: Summary of the support for households (mitigations) included in the October 2022 to March 2023 and April to June 2024 scenarios
|
Mitigation |
Included in scenarios for Oct 2022 to Mar 2023 |
Included in scenarios for April 2023 to Mar 2024 |
Included in scenarios for Apr 2024 to Dec 2024 |
Included in scenarios forJan 2025 to present |
Eligibility |
|
Energy Bills Support Scheme |
Yes (£400) |
No |
No |
No |
Universal and received by all households in 2022/23. Not continued in 2023/24. |
|
Alternative Fuel Payments |
Yes (£200) |
No |
No |
No |
Received by all households using fuels other than gas or electricity to heat their homes in 2022/23. Not continued in 2023/24. |
|
Cost of living payment for households on means tested benefits |
Yes (£650) |
Yes (£900) |
No |
No |
Received by households on means tested benefits in 2022/23 and 2023/24. Note: the amount will increase to £900 in 2023/24 up from £650 in 2022/23. |
|
Cost of living payment for pensioners |
Yes (£300) |
Yes (£300) |
No |
No |
Received by pensioner households in 2022/23 and 2023/24. Note: the eligibility criteria changed to become universal in 2023/24, i.e. it will be received by all pensioner households, whereas in 2022/23 it was only received by pensioner households in receipt of the Cold Weather Payment. |
|
Cost of living payment for people on disability benefits |
Yes (£150) |
Yes (£150) |
No |
No |
Received by people on disability benefits in 2022/23 and 2023/24. |
|
The Scottish Government’s Cost of Living Award |
Yes (£150) |
No |
No |
No |
This £150 Council Tax rebate was received in 2022/23 by households in Council Tax bands A-D or in receipt of Council Tax Reduction benefit. Not continued in 2023/24. |
|
Winter Fuel Payment / Pension Age Winter Heating Payment |
Yes (universal £300) |
Yes (universal £300) until December 2023 then based on receipt of means tested benefits either £300, £200, or £100 for eligible households |
Yes based on receipt of means tested benefits either £300, £200, or £100 for eligible households |
Yes (means-tested) Either £305.10 or £203.40 for eligible households. |
The WFP was universal to all pensioner households until 23/24 when it became means tested based on receipt of certain benefits. The criteria remains means tested for 2025/2026 however the criteria has again changed. See Changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility rules for a description of the eligibility criteria for 2024/2025 and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment for the 2025/2026 criteria
|