Half of Derry can’t afford heat

The figures emerged after a query to Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey from East Derry MLA Claire Sugden about fuel poverty in her constituency.

The Minister, in his reply, quoted figures from the House Condition Survey, carried out in 2011, which showed that 42 per cent of all households in Northern Ireland were in fuel poverty.

An analysis of the House Condition Survey by the Journal shows that fuel poverty is much higher than the Northern Ireland average in Derry and elsewhere in the North West.

In Derry, between 47 and 51 per cent of all homes are considered to be in fuel poverty. In nearby Strabane, the figure is even higher at 52-56 per cent, while in Limavady the figure is 47-51 per cent.

The estimated levels of fuel poverty in Strabane are amongst the highest found anywhere in Northern Ireland, according to the 2011 House Condition survey quoted by the Minister in his reply to Claire Sugden.

The Independent MLA for East Derry had asked the Minister for Social Development, Mervyn Storey, “to detail the number of homes considered to be in fuel poverty in East Londonderry; and to outline the measures being taken to ensure that these homes receive assistance this winter through fuel poverty schemes.”

Mr Storey replied: “The 2011 House Condition Survey reported that 42 per cent of Northern Ireland households were in fuel poverty. This information is not available by parliamentary constituency. However, some modelling work was carried out at District Council Area (DCA) level and the 2011 figures for these DCAs were published in bands. Banded figures for the two DCAs that are most closely aligned with East Londonderry are as follows: Coleraine (52-56 per cent); Limavady (47-51 per cent).”