David presses the Government for action on Fuel Poverty

20th February 2006

On Thursday 16th February 2006, David Amess MP questioned the Secretary of State for the Department of Transport and Industry, Alan Johnson MP on the Governments’ plans to help those facing fuel poverty following recent increases in energy prices.

David was a sponsor of the now enacted Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill, which committed the Government to eliminating fuel poverty within a set period. This legislation has had a degree of success in reducing the numbers of people unable pay their fuel bills through the 1990s however, as the Member for Southend West highlighted, in his question to the minister, since 2003 the shocking rises in gas and electricity prices have pushed a further 20,000 people into fuel poverty according to figures from Energy Watch.

The minister was able to give a substantial reply, outlining the need to maintain the winter fuel allowance but also to provide better advice to pensioners in particular about how they can get the best value energy contracts. This is the advice echoed by Ofgem, that recommend that the best way to save on domestic fuel prices is to switch to alternative suppliers that are able to offer better deals. This come in the same week that Centrica made a statement on British Gas energy price rises that will increase by 22% with effect from 1st March 2006.

Speaking after his exchange with the Minister David said,

‘I was pleased that the Minister took the time to address the deep concerns that I and many of my elderly constituents have about the steep rises in energy prices in recent years. However, more firm assurances are needed from the Government that they will not shirk their commitments to fuel poverty targets given the rises in global oil and gas prices.’