Energy advice for Traveller Communities in the context of ethnic and spatial premiums: 'paying the price' for other people's choices

Abstract

Despite indications that Traveller Communities face particular vulnerabilities to fuel poverty, research on Travellers’ experiences of energy provision, consumption and advice is scant. We report on a qualitative case study evaluation of face-to-face energy advice for Traveller Communities in the North of England. The service was instrumental in building trust, facilitating access to entitlements, and increasing control over energy bills. However, the impact of the service was limited by structural and spatial constraints surrounding energy provision on the Traveller site that resulted in disproportionate fuel costs for residents.