SINGLE
PARENTS FEEL THE STRAIN
10th July 2006
Three quarters of single parent families could be living in
inadequately heated housing according to research out today.
The research from the not-for-profit Home Heat Helpline, a
free telephone service that offers advice and help to people
worried about their heating bills, reveals three quarters
(73%) of the single parents polled admitted they set their
heating at a lower temperature to save money.
Over half (55%) also said they heat only selected rooms to
reduce their bills. However two parent families fare far better
with only half 51% setting heating at a lower temperature
and 37% only choosing to heat selected rooms.
The Home Heat Helpline research found that overall single
parents were under greater financial pressure than their co-habiting
counterparts with 74% saying they have to juggle their monthly
expenditure so they can meet the financial pressures they
face on a daily basis. This compares to only half (51%) of
co-habiting parents.
And whilst rising energy prices may be a growing concern for
many Brits, it seems single parents are more worried than
their cohabitating counterparts, about paying heating bills,
with nearly seven in ten (68%) saying they worried about bill
payments compared to only 43% of two parent families.
Furthermore, 4 in ten single parents are concerned that not
heating their homes adequately could affect the wellbeing
of their children compared with only 28% of two parent families.
But keeping the heating down doesn’t always solve the
problem as lone parents are more likely to have overdue bills.
Just over a quarter 26% confessed to paying their energy bills
late due to pressure to buy something for the children such
as clothing and toys This is compared with only 12% of two
parent families who do the same.
Gwen Vaughan, Chief Executive of Gingerbread, the UK’s
leading support organisation for lone parents comments ‘Its
no surprise to us that single parents are finding it harder
to juggle their home heating bills as this mirrors our experience
that single parents are often under greater financial and
psychological pressure than two parent families. Our mission
at Gingerbread is to help lone parents help themselves by
providing advice where needed. The Home Heat Helpline means
our members and other vulnerable groups have access to vital
help and advice if they are having trouble paying their fuel
bills.’
Single parent and Gingerbread member Amina from Kingston-upon-Thames
comments on her experience:
‘I have two daughters aged 8 and 10 years old and
so I struggle to make ends meet and find I am always juggling
my finances. My fuel bills have always been one of my biggest
worries as I struggle to find the money to pay for them. For
the last few months I’ve had to turn to my brother to
help me pay the bills but I hate doing this as he has his
own family to worry about. When I called the Home Heat Helpline,
I found out that I was entitled to 15% off my bills each month
which has made a huge difference. I can’t believe I
didn’t know about this before and the extra discount
has made all the difference. The best bit was being able to
speak to someone independent from my energy supplier, who
really looked after me and told me exactly what I was entitled
to.’
Duncan Sedgwick, Chief Executive of the Energy Retail Association
which runs the Home Heat Helpline adds: ‘Lone parents
are often under greater financial pressure and therefore an
increased risk from fuel poverty. In fact our research shows
that over half (55%) of single parents would like more advice
on paying their home heating bills but a similar amount (48%)
are not sure who to turn to. We are keen that more people
in danger of fuel poverty know that by phoning the Home Heat
Helpline (0800 33 66 99) they can have immediate access to
the help and advice for all their energy needs.’
The Home Heat Helpline is hosting a series of family fun days
at children’s centres in London, Leeds and Cardiff where
parents can get advice on their energy bills as well as enjoying
entertainment including juggling lessons and free goodie bags.
Campaign supporter, singer/actress Suzanne Shaw, a single
parent herself, will be meeting other single parents when
she attends the family day at Early Years Centre in Brixton
London on July 10th.
The Home Heat Helpline Research also found:
- A quarter of married or cohabiting parents say they never
worry about paying their heating bills, sadly only 14% of
single parents can say the same
- And although 97% of single parents across the country said
their home heating bills were top of their priority list of
household expenses alongside groceries, a quarter of single
parents (26%) said they had chosen to pay heating bills late
because they felt under pressure to buy something for their
children. Only half the amount of co-habiting or married parents
(12%) found themselves in the same situation.
- Many children in single parent families are going without
treats because their parents worry the extra spending would
leave them unable to pay household bills. Nearly half (49%)
of single parents said their children went without treats
compared to only 21% of co-habiting parents
The Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) is a free help line
which has been set up to help anyone worried about paying
their heating bills. Callers can talk to specially trained
staff who can provide help and advice with their home heating
bills including grants to make homes more energy efficient,
arranging alternative payment methods to suit their circumstances,
accessing a priority service team of specialist advisers and
providing links to other support agencies.
-ends-
Media Contacts:
Please contact for further information and interviews with
case studies, Suzanne Shaw, Home Heat Helpline spokesperson
Duncan Sedgwick and Gwen Vaughan Chief Executive of Gingerbread.
B roll footage is also available:
Jan Singleton or Karen Tait, Good Relations: T 020 7861 3811
/ 020 7861 2521
Suzi Darsa at the Energy Retail Association: T 020 7930 9174
Out of Hours contact number: 07887 523 522
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Regional Statistics - Number of parents who keep their heating
at a lower temperature
REGION - SINGLE PARENTS : MARRIED/COHABITING PARENTS
North East - 76% : 57%
North West - 72% : 46%
Yorkshire & Humber - 75% : 53%
East Midlands - 67% : 50%
West Midlands - 75% : 48%
East of England - 77% : 49%
London - 67% : 57%
South East - 73% : 50%
South West - 77% : 58%
Wales - 70% : 57%
Scotland - 77% : 50%
1. Survey carried out on behalf on the ERA by YouGov and polled
1347 GB parents between 1-17 May 2006
2. The Home Heat Helpline operates from Monday to Friday (9am-8pm)
and from 10am-3pm on Saturday. There is a free minicom number
(0800 027 2122) and the Helpline also has access to interpreters
for those callers whose first language is not English
3. The Helpline is operated by The essentiagroup and is staffed
by expert advisers, including former health professionals,
who are trained to give advice on how to stay warm during
the cold weather. They are also trained and authorised to
deal with intermediaries calling on behalf of vulnerable customers,
such as friends, carers, social workers or health visitors
4. The Home Heat Helpline was launched by the Energy Retail
Association which was established in October 2003 and is the
only dedicated trade association for domestic energy suppliers
in the UK. The Energy Retail Association’s mission is
to identify areas where its members can work for the common
good without competitive advantage. More information can be
found at http://www.energy-retail.org.uk/
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