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12% OF WELSH SOCIAL HOUSING OFF MAINS - WELSH LIB DEMS
November 11, 2009 12:00 AM
New figures compiled by the Welsh Liberal Democrats show that 12% of social housing in Wales is heated by fuels such as heating oil, LPG and electricity, because they are not on mains gas.
Off mains energy has typically been more expensive, and there was a dramatic spike in the cost of heating oil last year that led to users paying nearly twice as much to heat their homes.
The highest proportion of non-mains properties are in Ceredigion (47.3%), Gwynedd (38%) and Powys (32%), but not a single local authority has all of its properties connected to the mains gas network.
Mains gas is also less polluting than most non-mains fuels. Whereas mains gas creates 185 grams of CO2 for each unit of heat created, oil releases 282 grams, coal releases 330 grams and electricity releases a massive 537 grams.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Roger Williams said:
"People living in social housing are already likely to be under more financial pressure as it is, so if they do have to pay more to heat their homes it is a real concern.
"Mains gas prices have been more stable, and users are able to benefit from the much greater ease of switching suppliers. Users of heating oil and LPG also suffer from having to buy in bulk and are particularly vulnerable to price volatility, a huge concern for those on low incomes.
"These figures show that a significant proportion of the housing stock is not connected to the mains gas network, and it is likely that fuel poverty will be intensified as a result.
"There needs to be an investigation of how this issue is affecting those living in social housing, and how we can support those who face additional costs."
Roger added:
"It won't be possible for all properties to be brought on to the mains, but the Government and the National Grid must work with local authorities to get as many council owned properties on the gas network as possible.
"This is a matter which so far hasn't had much attention, and I hope that in light of these figures, there will be a renewed effort towards reducing fuel poverty for those in social housing."
ENDS
Notes:
Table showing number of social homes by mains and non-mains for each local authority in Wales. Figures include some that are collected by housing associations which have responsibility for social housing in the local authority area. If any clarifications are required please contact Chris Walker on 020 7219 8469. More detailed figures are available on request.
Name
Mains
Non- Mains
Total Stock
Percentage Non- Main)
Notes
Blaenau Gwent
N/A
N/A
N/A
Bridgend
2228
176
2404
7.3
Lincs: 352 (all mains); Wales and West: 1201 (1082 mains) Hafod Housing: 878 (821 mains)
Caerphilly
10683
328
11011
3.0
Cardiff
13727
3
13730
0.02
Carmarthenshire
6496
2760
9256
29.8
Ceredigion
808
724
1532
47.3
Conwy
3494
285
3779
7.5
Upgrades underway
Denbighshire
2499
971
3470
28.0
Flintshire
N/A
N/A
N/A
Gwynedd
3898
2402
6300
38.1
Gwynedd manage 6250 homes but some of these are fuelled by both gas and coal
Isle of Anglesey
1996
477
3850
12.4
Merthyr Tydfil (Merthyr Valley Homes)
0
201
Monmouthshire (Monmouthshire Housing Association, Seren, Melin Homes)
314
Neath Port Talbot
8226
597
8823
6.8
Newport (Newport City Homes)
7877
1256
9133
13.8
11 homes are rural and no access to mains, some others have gas for cooking but not heating
Pembrokeshire
8226
904
9130
9.9
Powys
3792
1784
5576
32.0
Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT Homes)
10675
475
10200
4.7
Upgrades on 250-300 homes underway. Figures not definitive (some homes have coal and gas fitted)
Swansea
13456
244
13700
1.8
Torfaen (Bron Afon Community Housing Ltd)
7294
760
8054
9.4
Vale of Glamorgan
N/A
N/A
N/A
Wrexham
9549
2040
11589
17.6
Gas upgrades underway 'where possible'
Valleys to Coast Housing Ltd
5682
168
5850
2.9
Hafod Housing Association
3035
118
3153
3.7
Linc-Cymru Housing Association
3503
93
3596
2.6
Wales & West Housing Association
6739
1372
8111
16.9
Seren
4000
53
4053
1.3
Melin Homes
2575
425
3000
14.2
Total:
35083
18930
159300
11.9
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