Campaigners warn energy price rises are biggest threat to fuel poverty targets

Campaigners are warning that energy prices are the biggest threat in derailing the Government’s commitment to end fuel poverty.

The warning comes as part of the Warm Homes Campaign, the annual winter awareness campaign, organised by fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) that aims to raise awareness of the plight of households who cannot afford to heat their homes adequately; the benefits of energy efficiency in reducing the numbers of these fuel-poor households and the availability of grant aid to low-income households.

Since 2003 energy prices have risen by 90% for gas and 60% for electricity. All the energy providers have introduced three or more price rises this year alone, which will affect vulnerable families and the elderly this winter particularly.

William Gillis, NEA Chief Executive, said: “Three years of escalating energy prices have hit vulnerable households hardest. We estimate that price rises since 2003 have made some two million additional households fuel poor and the most recent fuel bill rises will only have worsened the situation. Unless immediate action is taken we could see much of the good work to reduce fuel poverty over the last few years reversed.

“Current programmes to tackle fuel poverty do not take account of rapidly rising energy prices. The Government needs to recognise the damaging effects of rising energy prices on fuel-poor households and provide more funding to deliver additional and better-targeted energy efficiency programmes. “

One in six UK households meet the definition of fuel poverty because they need to spend more than 10 per cent of their income on keeping their homes warm. However, many simply cannot afford to spend this amount on fuel bills and face falling into debt with their energy supplier, or spending the winter in a cold, inadequately heated home or cutting back on other essentials such as food and clothing. The Department of Trade and Industry estimates that in England, for every 1 per cent rise in energy prices, an extra 40,000 households become fuel poor.

“The key message during the Warm Homes Campaign is ‘look after yourself and your family this winter’. There is help available. Call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 and find out about the benefits of energy efficiency. Or for those who think they may be eligible for a grant to help make their home warmer, we advise you to call 0800 316 6011 and quote MK 550.”

Sources: http://www.politics.co.uk

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