More than seven in 10 of under 30s have said they see heating as a “luxury” rather than a basic service as rising fuel poverty is hitting the “forgotten generation” the hardest.
Cadent, the UK’s largest gas network, revealed these findings from research carried out between January-September 2024.
The report titled “Energy Diaries: Voices of the Future” unveiled how energy anxiety and fuel poverty are becoming the new normal for young people.
It found that 51 per cent of people between the ages of 18-30 say they are “really anxious” about the cost of energy bills.
71 per cent of under 30s have said they see heating as a “luxury” rather than a basic service
PA
The cost of living crisis has become the main priority for under 30s, with 49 per cent saying they have put sustainability on hold since the start of the crisis.
Fifty per cent have also said they have naturally been more environmentally friendly because they cannot afford to consume as much energy as before.
Nicole, a private renter who formed part of the study said: “If I’m spending more on gas and electricity then it’s taking away from other parts and then that drips into not being able to save. At 27, I would like to be able to save some portion of my money, which I’m actually struggling to do.”
“At the moment we heat individuals rather than the whole room,” says Matthew, another young renter, “but if I have people around, if I have kids I’m not going to subject them to that kind of thing.”
Other participants revealed the many sacrifices they have had to make to manage energy bills this winter, including not visiting their family over the holidays and not yet joining the property ladder.
Mark Belmega, the Director of Sustainability and Social Purpose at Cadent said young people are at risk of becoming an “unseen generation when it comes to the issue of fuel poverty in the UK.”
He said: “Not everyone wears their vulnerability for all to see and as fuel poverty continues to impact millions across the country, especially during the winter months, we’re ensuring that support – ranging from financial advice to providing in home energy efficiency measures – is readily available for those who need it.”
Belmega added that the concerning findings highlight how young people are often overlooked when it comes to rising fuel costs.
51 per cent of people between the ages of 18-30 say they are “really anxious” about the cost of energy bills
GETTY
Denise Hatton, The Chief Executive of YMCA England and Wales, also commented on the report, saying: “As the Energy Diaries study has revealed, young people are facing fuel poverty and tackling energy costs as much as anyone else, and it’s having a major adverse effect on their lives.”
“At YMCA, we’ve seen first-hand the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
“It has led to an increase in the risk of young people becoming homeless and made it harder for them to move onto independent living due to rising bills.”
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