The English Housing Survey (EHS ) Fuel Poverty Datasets are comprised of fuel poverty variables derived from the EHS, and a number of EHS variables commonly used in fuel poverty reporting. The EHS is a continuous national survey commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG) that collects information about people's housing circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England.

End User Licence and Special Licence Versions
Similar to the main EHS, two versions of the Fuel Poverty dataset are available from 2014 onwards. The Special Licence version contains additional, more detailed, variables, and is therefore subject to more restrictive access conditions. Users should check the End User Licence version first to see whether it meeds their needs, before making an application for the Special Licence version.

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The English Housing Survey (EHS ) Fuel Poverty Datasets are comprised of fuel poverty variables derived from the EHS, and a number of EHS variables commonly used in fuel poverty reporting. The EHS is a continuous national survey commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG) that collects information about people's housing circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England. End User Licence and Special Licence Versions Similar to the main EHS, two versions of the Fuel Poverty dataset are available from 2014 onwards. The Special Licence version contains additional, more detailed, variables, and is therefore subject to more restrictive access conditions. Users should check the End User Licence version first to see whether it meeds their needs, before making an application for the Special Licence version. Fuel Poverty Dataset The fuel poverty dataset is comprised of fuel poverty variables derived from the English Housing Survey (EHS), and a number of EHS variables commonly used in fuel poverty reporting. The fieldwork for the EHS is carried out each financial year (between April and March). The fuel poverty datasets combine data from two consecutive financial years. Full information on the EHS survey is available at the MHCLG EHS website and further information on Fuel Poverty and the EHS can be sought from FuelPoverty@beis.gov.uk and ehs@communities.gov.uk respectively. Guidance on use of EHS data provided by MHCLG should also be applied to the fuel poverty dataset. Further information may be found in the Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics Report: 2020 (2018 Data) on the gov.uk website.Latest edition information For the second edition (June 2021) the data file was replaced with a new version, with some errors corrected in the labelling of numeric values. Main Topics: The data cover modelled household fuel costs and consumption. See documentation for further details. Compilation/Synthesis

The English Housing Survey (EHS ) Fuel Poverty Datasets are comprised of fuel poverty variables derived from the EHS, and a number of EHS variables commonly used in fuel poverty reporting. The EHS is a continuous national survey commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG) that collects information about people's housing circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England.

End User Licence and Special Licence Versions
Similar to the main EHS, two versions of the Fuel Poverty dataset are available from 2014 onwards. The Special Licence version contains additional, more detailed, variables, and is therefore subject to more restrictive access conditions. Users should check the End User Licence version first to see whether it meeds their needs, before making an application for the Special Licence version.

Fuel Poverty Statistics, 2016

Fuel Poverty Energy Efficiency Rating (FPEER) figures for 2016 are based on improved RdSAP assumptions, introduced in November 2017. Users are therefore advised that there will be a step-change between 2016 data and data published in previous years. Please see section Chapter 1 of the fuel poverty publication for further information on RdSAP changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-fuel-poverty-statistics-report-2018.

The fuel poverty dataset is comprised of fuel poverty variables derived from the English Housing Survey (EHS), and a number of EHS variables commonly used in fuel poverty reporting. The fieldwork for the EHS is carried out each financial year (between April and March). The fuel poverty datasets combine data from two consecutive financial years. The midpoint of this period is April 2016, which can be considered as the reference date for the fuel poverty dataset. Guidance on use of EHS data provided by DCLG should also be applied to the fuel poverty dataset. Full information on the EHS survey is available at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) EHS website. Fuel Poverty Statistics are also available from gov.uk.

Further information on fuel poverty and the EHS can be sought from FuelPoverty@beis.gov.uk and ehs@communities.gov.uk respectively. Guidance on use of EHS data provided by MHCLG should also be applied to the fuel poverty dataset.

The majority of fuel poverty variables are included in the dataset deposited at the UK Data Archive under the standard End User Licence (SN 8393). To comply with the data disclosure control guidance issued by the Government Statistical Service, supplementary fuel poverty variables are released under this Special Licence version, which is subject to more restrictive access conditions (see Access section below). Users are advised to obtain SN 8393 to see whether it is suitable for their needs before making an application for the Special Licence version.

Besides the information contained in SN 8393, the Special Licence dataset also includes the following: more detailed income information, the amount of energy (kWh/year) used for space heating, water heating, cooking, light and appliances, as well as the annual cost for each of these, the Building Research Establishment Domestic Energy Model (BREDEM) floor area and the boiler efficiency after control adjustment. More information about the extra variables can be found in the Fuel Poverty Special Licence Dataset Documentation.

Dataset containing results of the 2018 Leicester Health and Wellbeing Survey for questions related to Food and Fuel Poverty. Wards with five or fewer responses have been supressed to maintain anonymity. It shows which areas are most affected by Fuel/Food poverty.

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The English Housing Survey (EHS) is a continuous national survey commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) that collects information about people's housing circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England. The EHS brings together two previous survey series into a single fieldwork operation: the English House Condition Survey (EHCS) (available from the UK Data Archive under GN 33158) and the Survey of English Housing (SEH) (available under GN 33277). The EHS covers all housing tenures and provides valuable information and evidence to inform the development and monitoring of the department's housing policies. Results from the survey are also used by a wide range of other users including other government departments, local authorities, housing associations, landlords, academics, construction industry professionals, consultants, and the general public.

The EHS has a complex multi-stage methodology consisting of two main elements; an initial interview survey of around 14,000 households and a follow-up physical inspection. Some further elements are also periodically included in or derived from the EHS: for 2008 and 2009, a desk-based market valuation was conducted of a sub-sample of 8,000 dwellings (including vacant ones), but this was not carried out from 2010 onwards. A periodic follow-up survey of private landlords and agents (the Private Landlords Survey (PLS)) is conducted using information from the EHS interview survey. Fuel Poverty datasets are also available from 2003, created by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

The EHS interview survey sample formed part of the Integrated Household Survey (IHS) (available from the Archive under GN 33420) from April 2008 to April 2011. During this period the core questions from the IHS formed part of the EHS questionnaire.

End User Licence and Special Licence Versions:
From 2014 data onwards, the End User Licence (EUL) versions of the EHS only include derived variables. In addition the number of variables on the EUL datasets from that date has been reduced and disclosure control increased on certain remaining variables. The new Special Licence versions of the EHS, which are subject to more restrictive access conditions, are of a similar nature to EHS EUL datasets prior to 2014 and include both derived and raw datasets.

Further information about the EHS and the latest news, reports and tables can be found on the GOV.UK English Housing Survey web pages.

The English Housing Survey, 2017: Housing Stock Data: Special Licence Access is available for all cases where a physical survey has been completed. For occupied cases the data comprises information from the household interview and from the physical survey. For vacant properties only, data from the physical survey are provided. The Special Licence version includes raw interview and physical datasets and derived data, whereas the EUL version (SN 8494) only includes derived variables. Users are advised to obtain SN 8494 to see whether it is suitable for their needs before making an application for the Special Licence version.

The data are made available for a two-year rolling sample i.e. approximately 12,000 cases together with the appropriate two-year weights. For example, the EHS Housing Stock results presented here are for 2017, but cover the period April 2016 to March 2018. This means that if you use more than one housing stock dataset, you must use either odd or even years. For example, you need to use the Housing Stock Dataset for '2012' and '2014' or '2013' and '2015', but not the dataset for '2014' and '2013' as you would double-count the cases surveyed between April 2013 and March 2014. The Housing Stock dataset should be used for any analysis requiring information relating to the physical characteristics and energy efficiency of the housing stock. Derived datasets provide key analytical variables compiled post-fieldwork including energy efficiency ratings, decent home indicators and equivalised income.

Users who only require data from the household interview should use the English Housing Survey, 2017-2018: Household Data EUL or Special Licence versions (SNs 8495 and 8545 respectively).

New edition information
For the second edition (January 2020), revised interview data files have been deposited.

Main Topics:

The EHS Housing Stock survey consists of two components.
Interview SurveyAn interview is first conducted with the householder. The interview topics include: household characteristics, satisfaction with the home and the area, disability and adaptations to the home, ownership and rental details and income details. All interviewees are guaranteed confidentiality and all data are...

The English Housing Survey (EHS) is a continuous national survey commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) that collects information about people's housing circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England. The EHS brings together two previous survey series into a single fieldwork operation: the English House Condition Survey (EHCS) (available from the UK Data Archive under GN 33158) and the Survey of English Housing (SEH) (available under GN 33277). The EHS covers all housing tenures and provides valuable information and evidence to inform the development and monitoring of the department's housing policies. Results from the survey are also used by a wide range of other users including other government departments, local authorities, housing associations, landlords, academics, construction industry professionals, consultants, and the general public.

The EHS has a complex multi-stage methodology consisting of two main elements; an initial interview survey of around 14,000 households and a follow-up physical inspection. Some further elements are also periodically included in or derived from the EHS: for 2008 and 2009, a desk-based market valuation was conducted of a sub-sample of 8,000 dwellings (including vacant ones), but this was not carried out from 2010 onwards. A periodic follow-up survey of private landlords and agents (the Private Landlords Survey (PLS)) is conducted using information from the EHS interview survey. Fuel Poverty datasets are also available from 2003, created by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

The EHS interview survey sample formed part of the Integrated Household Survey (IHS) (available from the Archive under GN 33420) from April 2008 to April 2011. During this period the core questions from the IHS formed part of the EHS questionnaire.

End User Licence and Special Licence Versions:
From 2014 data onwards, the End User Licence (EUL) versions of the EHS only include derived variables. In addition the number of variables on the EUL datasets from that date has been reduced and disclosure control increased on certain remaining variables. The new Special Licence versions of the EHS, which are subject to more restrictive access conditions, are of a similar nature to EHS EUL datasets prior to 2014 and include both derived and raw datasets.

Further information about the EHS and the latest news, reports and tables can be found on the GOV.UK English Housing Survey web pages.

The English Housing Survey, 2018-2019: Household Data: Special Licence Access comprises both the raw and derived interview data for all cases where an interview has been completed (as opposed to the EUL version held under SN 8669, which includes only derived data). Datasets are provided for single financial years together with annual weights. The survey consists of a detailed interview using a CAPI based program. An interview is first conducted with the householder. General topics and concepts covered include household characteristics, satisfaction with the home and the area, disability and adaptations to the home, ownership and rental details and income details. Users are advised to obtain SN 8669 to see whether it is suitable for their needs before making an application for the Special Licence version.

The household data should be used for any analysis where only information from the household interview is required. Users who also require data from the physical survey should use the English Housing Survey, 2018: Housing Stock Data EUL (SN 8670) or Special Licence version (not yet available).

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (formerly known as the ONS Opinions Survey or Omnibus) is an omnibus survey that began in 1990, collecting data on a range of subjects commissioned by both the ONS internally and external clients (limited to other government departments, charities, non-profit organisations and academia).

Data are collected from one individual aged 16 or over, selected from each sampled private household. Personal data include data on the individual, their family, address, household, income and education, plus responses and opinions on a variety of subjects within commissioned modules.

The questionnaire collects timely data for research and policy analysis evaluation on the social impacts of recent topics of national importance, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the cost of living, on individuals and households in Great Britain.

From April 2018 to November 2019, the design of the OPN changed from face-to-face to a mixed-mode design (online first with telephone interviewing where necessary). Mixed-mode collection allows respondents to complete the survey more flexibly and provides a more cost-effective service for customers.

In March 2020, the OPN was adapted to become a weekly survey used to collect data on the social impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the lives of people of Great Britain. These data are held in the Secure Access study, SN 8635, ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Covid-19 Module, 2020-2022: Secure Access.

From August 2021, as coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions were lifting across Great Britain, the OPN moved to fortnightly data collection, sampling around 5,000 households in each survey wave to ensure the survey remains sustainable.

The OPN has since expanded to include questions on other topics of national importance, such as health and the cost of living. For more information about the survey and its methodology, see the ONS OPN Quality and Methodology Information webpage.

Secure Access Opinions and Lifestyle Survey data

Other Secure Access OPN data cover modules run at various points from 1997-2019, on Census religion (SN 8078), cervical cancer screening (SN 8080), contact after separation (SN 8089), contraception (SN 8095), disability (SNs 8680 and 8096), general lifestyle (SN 8092), illness and activity (SN 8094), and non-resident parental contact (SN 8093). See Opinions and Lifestyle Survey: Secure Access for details.

Main Topics:
Each month's questionnaire consists of two elements: core questions, covering demographic information, are asked each month together with non-core questions that vary from month to month.
The non-core questions for this month were:

Tobacco consumption (Module 210): this module was asked on behalf of Customs and Excise to help them estimate the amount of tobacco consumed as cigarettes.
Attitudes to congestion (Module 290): asked on behalf of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), this module asks questions about transport and congestion issues.
Developing Countries (Module 236): this module was asked on behalf of the Department for International Development and covers poverty in developing countries such as Africa, parts of Asia and regions such as Central America.
Gas and electricity payment methods (Module 288): part of the Factor Four project: ending fuel poverty, sponsored by Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) and carried out by researchers at the University of Bristol, Personal Finance Research Centre. Research into schemes to help people pay their fuel bills in a simpler and more cost effective way.
Internet access (Module 264): this module was asked on behalf of a number of government departments, but primarily the Office for National Statistics and the E-Envoy's Office (part of the Cabinet Office). Designed to monitor internet use, which is currently a high profile government policy.

The English Housing Survey (EHS) is a continuous national survey commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) that collects information about people's housing circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England. The EHS brings together two previous surveys into a single fieldwork operation: the English House Condition Survey (EHCS) (available from the UK Data Archive under GN 33158) and the Survey of English Housing (SEH) (available from the Archive under GN 33277). The EHS covers all housing tenures and provides valuable information and evidence to inform the development and monitoring of the department's housing policies. Results from the survey are also used by a wide range of other users including other government departments, local authorities, housing associations, landlords, academics, construction industry professionals, consultants, and the general public. The EHS has a complex multi-stage methodology consisting of two main elements; an initial interview survey of around 14,000 households and a follow-up physical inspection. Some further elements are also periodically included in or derived from the EHS: for 2008 and 2009, a desk-based market valuation was conducted of a sub-sample of 8,000 dwellings (including vacant ones), but this was not carried out from 2010 onwards. A periodic follow-up survey of private landlords and agents (the Private Landlords Survey (PLS)) is conducted using information from the EHS interview survey. Fuel Poverty datasets are also available from 2003, created by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

The EHS interview survey sample formed part of the Integrated Household Survey (IHS) (available from the Archive under GN 33420) from April 2008 to April 2011. During this period the core questions from the IHS formed part of the EHS questionnaire.

The EHS is used to derive two types of datasets: Household and Housing Stock. These are available separately for the End User Licence (EUL) and Special Licence (SL) versions, but are combined into one study for the Secure Access EHS:

• Household datasets comprise the full interview data (plus associated derived variables) for all cases where an interview has been completed. Datasets are provided for single financial years together with annual weights. The survey consists of a detailed interview using a CAPI based program. An interview is first conducted with the householder. Household datasets should be used for any analysis where only information from the household interview is required.
• Housing Stock data are available for all cases where a physical survey has been completed. For occupied properties, the datasets include data from the household interview as well as data from the physical survey. For vacant properties, only data for the physical survey are provided. The data are made available for a two year rolling sample i.e. approximately 12,000 cases together with the appropriate 2-year weights. This means that if you use more than one housing stock dataset, you must use either odd or even years. For example, you need to use the Housing Stock Dataset for '2012' and '2014' or '2013' and '2015', but not the dataset for '2014' and '2013' as you would double-count the cases surveyed between April 2013 and March 2014. The Housing Stock datasets should be used for any analysis requiring information relating to the physical characteristics and energy efficiency of the housing stock. Derived datasets provide key analytical variables compiled post-fieldwork including energy efficiency ratings, decent home indicators and equivalised income.

Secure Access EHS data:
Secure Access datasets for the EHS up to 2013/14 are available under UK Data Archive SN 6923 and include two detailed geographical variables that are not available in the standard EUL versions: Postcodes and Lower Layer Super Output Areas. These variables have been merged into the General derived data file within each Household and Housing Stock dataset. The two variables are also available in a separate Detailed Geography data file, along with the key variable 'aacode', allowing the user to merge with other files of their choice. All other files are the same as in the EUL versions. Secure Access datasets for the EHS from 2014/15 are available under Archive SN 8121. From the submission of the 2014/15 datasets onwards, the EHS Secure Access approach was changed by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The Postcode and Lower Layer Super Output Area variables remain available and DCLG also provide versions of the full EHS datasets as used internally, i.e. not disclosure controlled, for Secure Access. For the 2015/16 datasets, the Secure Access version includes the Special Licence version data also available under SNs 8254 and 8255, as well as detailed geography files containing postcodes and Lower Layer Super Output Area variables.

Prospective users of the Secure Access version of the EHS will need to fulfil additional requirements, commencing with the completion of extra application forms to demonstrate to the data owners exactly why they need access to the extra, more detailed variables, in order to obtain permission to use that version. Secure Access users must also complete face-to-face training and agree to Secure Access' User Agreement and Licence Compliance Policy (see 'Access' section below). Therefore, users are encouraged to download and inspect the EUL and/or Special Licence versions of the data prior to ordering a Secure Access version.

Related UK Data Archive studies:
EUL versions of the EHS studies are available under GN 33422, and further details and links for these can be found via the EHS list of datasets. From 2014/15 data onwards, the EUL versions of the EHS only include derived variables. In addition the number of variables on the new EUL datasets has been reduced and disclosure control increased on certain remaining variables. New Special Licence versions of the EHS have been deposited, which are of a similar nature to previous EHS EUL datasets and include derived and raw datasets. Special Licence versions of the data from 2014/15 onwards are available under Archive GN 33515.

Further information about the EHS and the latest news, reports and tables can be found on the GOV.UK English Housing Survey web pages.
Latest edition
For the third edition (February 2018), data and documentation for 2015-16 have been added.

The purpose of the Welsh Housing Conditions Survey, 2017-2018 (WHCS) was to provide an estimate of the condition and energy efficiency/performance of the housing stock in Wales. The survey covered all types of housing and all tenures but not vacant properties.

The 2017-18 survey was very much a standard in terms of housing conditions surveys and is very similar to those carried out in other nations. As well as the usual topics the survey explored elements that may become an issue in the future, for example climate change (hotter summers, wetter winters etc.) and the housing stock's ability to cope.

Fieldwork for the WHCS 2017-18 ran from August 2017 until the end of April 2018. A sample of addresses was drawn from eligible households taking part in the National Survey for Wales 2017-18 (see SN 8390). This resulted in physical inspections of 2,549 properties across Wales, which enables national level estimates.

The property inspections were carried out by qualified surveyors, employed by the Building Research Establishment. They performed a visual assessment of the interior and exterior of the property. The surveyor also inspected the plot of the property and made an assessment of the local neighbourhood.

Key information gathered in the WHCS allows measurement of:

• energy efficiency
• repair costs
• the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS)
• fuel poverty
• the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

Further information, background and publications can be found on the WHCS 2017-2018 webpages.