Bates welcomes long overdue review of energy efficiency plan for Wales (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Bates welcomes long overdue review of energy efficiency plan for Wales

March 16, 2009 12:00 AM

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has welcomed the publication of the long awaited review of the Welsh Government National Energy Efficiency and Savings Plan which aims to make all sectors of Welsh society more energy efficient, but is disappointed over the delay which has seen thousands more households plunged into fuel poverty and another winter gone by.

Commenting Mick stated:

"I am pleased that the Welsh Government has finally published the long awaited review of the energy efficiency plan for Wales. However it is disappointing that despite admitting over two years ago that this plan was needed, the Welsh Government has dithered whilst energy prices have escalated and it is estimated that 340,000 households, 1 in 3 households in Wales, are now living in fuel poverty.

"Only 29 % of money under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme goes to households in fuel poverty - based on that statistic 71% of this well-intentioned scheme is being given to those less in need. Another winter has now passed and I am disappointed that the Minister failed to act with any urgency and bring forward the review of this scheme so that it could have brought real benefits to people last winter.

"There is no doubt that the HEES must be refocused to be more effective - if its aim was to reduce fuel poverty then it is not working properly. It currently takes no account of whether a household is in fuel poverty either before or after it has received HEES money which is clearly not acceptable.

"Demand for HEES vastly outstrips current funding and it is vital that funding for this scheme is increased to reflect the escalating numbers of people living in fuel poverty, along with better targeted eligibility criteria so that the fuel poor are prioritised under future delivery of the scheme.

"HEES can also help to increase the use of green technologies to heat our home, which will not only help to tackle fuel poverty but also decrease the carbon footprint of the home. I find it appalling that there are people who still have to choose between heating and eating. We should be making more headway on making newer houses greener and improving older housing in our most deprived communities."

End/Diwedd