Homeworkers in rural areas facing higher energy costs

A NEW report has revealed people working from home have been paying an extra £45 a month in energy costs during lockdown, raising concerns that fuel-poor households in rural Berkshire are being pushed into further financial difficulty.

Homeworkers in the least energy efficient homes have faced the biggest increase in heating bills of up to £28 a month, compared to just £1.31 for those that are well insulated, combined with an average £17 a month rise in electricity.

Fuel-poor households often live in rural properties located in off the gas-grid areas, which typically have lower levels of insulation.

This means those in the most financial difficulty are living in the hardest to heat homes so are being disproportionately affected by the energy cost rises associated with remote working.

OFTEC, a registration body for off-gas grid heating, says 12,000 oil-heated households in Berkshire are a particular concern.

Even as lockdown restrictions ease over the coming months, thousands are expected to permanently keep their desk at home.