"Government must act now as one in three Welsh households are plunged into fuel poverty" - Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

"Government must act now as one in three Welsh households are plunged into fuel poverty" - Mick Bates

September 8, 2008 4:54 PM

Power line As energy costs soar and the average annual dual fuel bill in the UK rises to £1,287, Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates calls for action from the Government as one in three households in Wales are plunged into fuel poverty.

A recent Living in Wales report estimated that for every 10% in energy prices, around 48,000 more households will become fuel poor. Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Mick Bates AM states:

"Over the past few months gas has increased by 44% and electricity by 27% which is cold comfort for people in Wales, as it is estimated that one in three households across the country are now living in fuel poverty.

"It is a disgrace that energy companies have enjoyed a £9bn cash windfall from the Emissions Trading Scheme, while households are living in cold, damp homes because they cannot afford to pay their bills. These companies should be compelled to put some of their huge profits back into reducing the costs of fuel bills for all vulnerable households.

"Huge investment is needed from the Government for a programme of insulation for all households, which will help save energy and have the win-win effect of reducing fuel bills as well as cutting carbon emissions.

"The Government must also take action and back a roll-out of Smart Meters across the country. These meters can help in delivering carbon and fuel poverty targets through reducing energy usage by between 3-15% through changes in behaviour.

"The Labour Government in Westminster may be feeling the heat, but it is time for our Labour-Plaid Assembly Government to wake up and take action. We need a strong strategy to alleviate fuel poverty in Wales and I will be calling on the Minister to publish her proposed "National Energy Efficiency & Saving Plan" as soon as possible.

"I will continue to campaign to tackle the fuel poverty crisis. I urge constituents to contact me with their own stories if they are living in fuel poverty, so that the Minister can see the true suffering behind the statistics."

Ends/Diwedd

Notes:

Fuel poverty is defined as having to spend more than 10% of income on fuel.

EDF was the first to raise its tariff by 22%, followed by British Gas with a 9% rise in electricity prices and a 35% rise in gas prices.

On August 21st E.ON announced a raise in gas prices of 26% and 16% in electricity prices. The increase by E.ON will mean that the average E.ON dual fuel bill will go up from £1,063 to £1,297 - a rise of £234.

Scottish and Southern Energy have also declared a rise of an average of 19.2% for electricity and 29.2% for gas as of Monday 25 August 2008.