ONE in four households in parts of South East Cornwall are struggling to pay heating bills, according to new Government figures.

The government’s latest fuel poverty statistics show that more than 34,000 households are thought to be in fuel poverty in Cornwall, 14.2% of Cornish homes. 

The figure soars to one in four homes living in fuel poverty in Fowey and Lostwithiel as well as in parts of Penzance, Falmouth, Wadebridge, St Austell, some Clay Villages and Launceston.

A household is considered to be in fuel poverty if it has higher than typical energy costs and would be left with a disposable income below the poverty line if it spent the required money to meet those costs. 

The fuel poverty figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy relate to 2015, the most recent year for which the data is available.

The Truro-based charity Community Energy Plus  said: ‘The figures for Cornwall are as bad as levels seen in colder parts of the country such as the North East and West Midlands.’

CEP works throughout the year to provide advice and practical help to households struggling with their energy bills. 

Its chief executive, Dr Tim Jones, said: ‘Living in cold and damp homes is the sad reality experienced by many of the people who call us. 

‘Low incomes and high heating costs caused by having to use expensive heating fuels and poorly insulated homes are reflected in Cornwall’s high fuel poverty figures.’

Community Energy Plus hosts the Winter Wellbeing helpline and provides free energy advice and access to heating and insulation grants on Freephone 0800 954 1956.