One in seven Cumberland households were in fuel poverty in 2022, new figures show.
Energy prices skyrocketed from the end of 2021 due to reduced supply and geopolitical issues, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, putting more pressure on hard-up households.
Latest estimates from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities suggest 18,628 households in Cumberland were living in fuel poverty in 2022 - 14.4 per cent of the 128,969 households in the area.
This puts Cumberland above the England average of 13.1 per cent.
READ MORE: Refugee groups across Cumbria condemn 'uncaring' Rwanda Bill
The estimates suggest there were 32 neighbourhoods across the country where half of households were suffering fuel poverty.
In addition, there were 574 neighbourhoods where at least a third of households were living in fuel poverty, with one of them in Cumberland.
Households are judged to be in fuel poverty if they are below the poverty line and living in a house with an energy efficiency rating of D or worse.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here