Cost of coal ban could leave poorer homes out in the cold

THE ban on coal and wet wood could cost households up to £469 million over the next 10 years, according to government estimates.

Downing Street was warned yesterday that its commitments to policies that tackle climate change and pollution risked leaving people behind if they were not given help to adapt.

Sales of domestic coal and untreated wood will be phased out by 2023 as part of the Government’s commitment to improving air quality.

Dry wood is estimated to be 60 per cent more expensive per ton than wet wood, while alternatives to traditional coal are 38 per cent more expensive.

Up to 166,000 homes not on the gas grid rely on solid fuels, including 49,000 which rely on coal as their primary source of heating.

The Government believes households could save more than £105million if they buy less fuel in weight terms. But its impact assessment of the change says this may not happen, and estimates a cost of up £469million by 2030 if households continue to buy at the same rate.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the benefits of the ban would be worth £7.8million. But National Energy Action, which advocates for those in fuel poverty, warned the ban could leave thousands of low-income homes without heating, as alternatives are not always readily available in remote rural areas.