Eliminating fuel poverty in the UK became government policy in 2003, and subsequently national performance indicators were developed to monitor the progress of local areas. Achieving this by the target date of 2016 requires not only sufficient resources but also a clear method for identifying where investment should be directed for maximum effect and how change can be monitored at local and national levels. 

Full liberalisation of the UK gas markets occurred in 1998, preceded by a pilot phase operating in South West England from 1996. Research into the impact of competition on low-income households during the pilot stage demonstrated that certain groups – households using prepayment meters and those without bank accounts or wanting to pay in cash, plus consumers with special needs – were losing out. In 1999, the electricity markets were fully opened to competition.