Government criticised over fuel poverty

The government has faced calls to take more action to tackle fuel poverty.

As seven ministers, including energy minister Malcolm Wickes, attended a conference on the issue, the government was accused of failing poor families and pensioners.

 

A coalition of campaign groups said the average energy bill tipped the vast majority of single pensioners and lone-parent families entitled to basic state benefits into fuel poverty, affecting almost one-in-five households, or 4.5 million people.

 

The average fuel bill for 65 to 74-year-olds has leapt up to £1,000, a rise of 15 per cent for a single pensioner, said Age Concern, the Child Poverty Action Group and National Energy Action.

 

Owing to this fact, ministers met with energy companies and consumer groups on Wednesday in an event organised by regulator Ofgem, with the aim to focus on how best to lift vulnerable people from fuel poverty.

 

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "The government must really switch on to ending fuel poverty. The figures show that it is failing miserably to help the poorest and most vulnerable pensioners and families affected.

 

"The action taken so far is nowhere near enough to help those pushed into fuel poverty this year, let alone in the future.

 

"The government's fuel poverty strategy is in disarray - ministers must pledge fresh action at the summit."

 

Paul Dornan, head of policy for the Child Poverty Action Group, stated: "The poorest families are already struggling to stay out of debt and are often forced to pay much higher than average rates for fuel through pre-payment meters.

 

"We need swift government action to protect poor children from fuel poverty or families will be plunged into debt and left with unacceptable spending choices, like whether their child has a warm coat, a warm home, or a hot dinner."