A new map has revealed the scale of fuel poverty across Bradford – with residents in some areas spending almost half their household income on energy bills.

The statistics, collected by Turn2us, part of national charity Elizabeth Finn Care, show that in the BD21 postcode, which covers Keighley, someone who responded to a survey said they were in “very high fuel poverty”, spending 46 per cent of their household budget on gas and electricity A resident in the BD2 area, which includes Five Lane Ends, is also regarded as being in the highest category of fuel poverty, spending 41 per cent of their budget on power and heating, and people in BD13, Queensbury and Thornton, and BD5, Great Horton and Lidget Green, said they spent 31 per cent and 25 per cent on fuel respectively. A Keighley Councillor described the statistic from his ward area as “shocking” and said there would be many more struggling with their bills this winter.

Coun Abid Hussain (Lab, Keighley central) said: “This won’t just be one person, there will more people struggling to cope. A lot of energy companies raise their prices at winter and that’s just wrong..”

Areas in the district with residents in “quite high fuel poverty” include BD10, Apperley Bridge, other parts of Eccleshill, Greengates, Idle and Thackley, where one resident said they spent 18 per cent of their income on fuel.

In the BD1 area of Bradford city centre and Little Germany, someone said they spent 14 per cent of their budget on power.

People classed as being “out of fuel poverty” include a resident in BD6, Buttershaw and Wibsey, where nine per cent was spent on fuel, and BD8, Manningham and Girlington, with a figure of six per cent.

The fuel poverty statistics have been put on an interactive map by the charity, which asked people to submit their location, monthly income and monthly fuel expenditure to calculate whether they are in fuel poverty.

Earlier this month, the First Contact initiative scheme was launched in Bradford, Airedale and Craven to help vulnerable people in the district stay warm and healthy over the next three months by offering a range of support - including handing duvets, bedding, hats, gloves and shoes to those identified as being at risk, as well as food parcels and vouchers.

Click here to see the fuel poverty map and website.