We estimate that winter fuel payments took 100,000 households out of fuel poverty in 2003 and 2004. This data is available in “The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy; 4th Annual Progress Report 2006” (available online at http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file29688.pdf). They were introduced in 1997. The effect on fuel poverty in 2001 is not available but is likely to be of similar magnitude as 2003 and 2004 given the level of payment was similar.