Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Bryony Gooch

Hidden ‘killer’ of fuel poverty crisis revealed

  • New research indicates that households residing in cold and damp homes are over twice as likely to experience dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
  • Experts highlight a "deadly intersection" of fuel poverty, poor housing, and gas usage, with 18 per cent of those unable to heat their homes reporting carbon monoxide problems, compared to 7 per cent of UK adults overall.
  • Vulnerable groups, including 18-34 year olds and families with children, face elevated risks, often due to living in older, poorly maintained properties or a reluctance to report issues in rented accommodation.
  • Almost one in three UK adults lack a working carbon monoxide detector, increasing the danger posed by this "silent killer" gas.
  • The high cost of appliance maintenance and the tendency to block ventilation to conserve heat in fuel-poor homes are significant factors contributing to heightened carbon monoxide exposure, with government initiatives like Awaab's Law aiming to improve safety in social housing.

IN FULL

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.