One in 4 rural households living in fuel poverty  A pensioner
suffering from fuel poverty Credit: Age UK  A report out today
reveals that up to a quarter of rural Yorkshire households are
living in fuel poverty  The Rural VCS Policy Group highlights
shocking figures that a quarter of households in particular
areas within Yorkshire are living in fuel poverty.  The
districts with the highest score in terms of fuel poverty
include Hambleton (20.6%); Scarborough (22.7%); Craven (23.6%);
Richmondshire (24.3%) and Ryedale (26%).  According to Age UK,
health issues associated with fuel poverty cost the NHS £1.36bn
annually across the UK.  A pensioner suffering from fuel poverty
Credit: Age UK  Children and young people and the elderly are
most affected by fuel poverty. Living in a cold home more than
doubles a child's chances of suffering respiratory problems like
asthma, and teenagers are four times more likely to suffer
mental health problems.  Older people living in cold homes are
at higher risk of death and illn