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<p>Ofgem’s Domestic Suppliers Social Obligation: 2011 Annual Report shows the average
level of consumer debt held by energy consumers in 2010 was £360 for electricity and
£339 for gas, and in 2011 £357 for electricity and £371 for gas. The Ofgem report
‘vulnerable consumers in the retail energy market 2017’ shows the average level of
debt at the point customers start to repay “take-on debt” from 2012 to 2016. The methodology
for reporting debt levels changed in 2012. This means it is not possible to provide
a like for like comparison from 2010 through to 2016.</p><p>Figure 6 in the Ofgem
report shows the average level of debt from 2012 to 2016, and can be found at: <a
href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2017/10/consumer_vulnerability_report_web_003.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2017/10/consumer_vulnerability_report_web_003.pdf</a></p><p>The
fuel poverty strategy has interim milestones to improve fuel poor homes to Band E
by 2020 and Band D by 2025. This guides an approach to targeting the least energy
efficient properties first, as they are facing the most severe problem. The latest
official statistics show that there were 835,000 fewer E, F or G rated fuel poor homes
in 2015 compared to 2010. This focus on the least energy efficient homes does mean
that fewer D rated homes are improved to Band C, within the same budget. The latest
statistics show that 8% of fuel poor households are were rated Band C or better in
2015 and this is projected to increase to 11% in 2017.</p><p>We will continue to make
progress towards the fuel poverty milestones and 2030 target. The Clean Growth Strategy
recently committed to at least £640m of support per year for home energy efficiency
through to 2028 and we will be consulting in the new year on our proposals for the
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) to run from 2018 to 2022. In parallel, we will be
considering the best forms of support for home energy efficiency over the longer term
for subsequent consultation.</p>
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