Transferring the Index of Vulnerable Homes: application at the local-scale in England to assess fuel poverty vulnerability

Abstract

Fuel poverty, or energy poverty, has traditionally been associated with households that cannot afford to keep their homes adequately warm and/or cool due to low income and energy inefficient dwellings. Recent studies show a need for a good understanding of levels of vulnerability and how they are shaped by poor quality housing and economic circumstances. This work, which examines the current level of vulnerability to fuel poverty in a neighbourhood in the Broughton ward of Salford using quantitative data, provides a comprehensive tool to assess fuel poverty vulnerability at a local scale in England, the Index of Vulnerable Homes (IVH), which evaluates the identification of households in or at risk of fuel poverty. The IVH results lead to an evaluation of current fuel poverty indicators in terms of their ability to assess fuel poverty vulnerability in England, providing a fuller understanding of the variety of fuel poverty situations, as well as recognizing the high prevalence of hidden fuel poverty. Additionally, having used the IVH in both England and Spain, it makes possible reflections upon how vulnerability to fuel poverty may differ in these countries, leading to relevant recommendations for policymakers to develop effective fuel poverty measures.