MORE THAN 20,000 households across the county are living in fuel poverty and struggle to keep warm during the winter months.

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics Report revealed 23,918 households are below the fuel poverty line.

Figures show 8 per cent of homes in Oxfordshire are classed as ‘fuel poor’, which means they cannot afford to adequately heat their home based on their income.

Rural parts of the county are worse off, with a £600 gap between the cost of bills and what households can afford to pay - double that of urban areas.

This is despite oil heating, one of the main fuels used by rural homes, being significantly cheaper than other forms of heating for homes not connected to mains gas.

The higher cost of heating, however, is largely due to rural homes typically being older, poorly insulated and less energy efficient, making them more expensive to keep warm.

Malcolm Farrow from Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) said: “We often take our heating for granted and turn up the thermostat when the weather gets cold without a second’s thought.

"Unfortunately, as this latest report reveals, for many households across Oxfordshire keeping warm is a constant source of concern and often anxiety.

“Many health problems are associated with living in a cold house and there is a particular concern for older people who struggle during the winter months.

"Whilst steps have been taken to try to alleviate the problem, still not enough support is available.”

Over the last year, the national number of homes in fuel poverty has risen to more than 2.55 million properties.