Will government’s fuel poverty assistance really help?

 

June 25, 2008

With the cost of energy usage already having gone up, and with expectations of further price hikes in the autumn, the government has been taking measures to try and reduce the risk of fuel poverty for the more vulnerable, which includes reforming data protection laws so that consumers can be contacted directly and offered help should the need arise. Other moves that the government has planned to try and reduce fuel poverty include providing assistance for consumers to ensure that their homes are energy efficient and to make sure that they are with the most suitable and affordable provider.

However, these moves have been slated by campaigners who have claimed that the moves are simply a reshuffle of old ideas, adding that the government has not done enough to try and eliminate fuel poverty.

The Energy Minister, however, recently stated: ‘One of the best ways to tackle fuel poverty is to make sure the heat, and the fuel that is used as it’s so costly, keeps people warm and doesn’t go out the window. The problem has been that because of data protection laws we haven’t always been able to say to the electricity or gas company ‘This is the person that needs that help’, so we’re taking measures … to reform the Pensions Bill that’s going through Parliament at the moment so that we can cut through some of these data protection issues.’

He added: ‘What I’m concerned about today with fellow ministers is to make sure that the considerable resources out there, particularly in terms of energy efficiency, really reaches the hardest-hit people in terms of rising fuel bills.’ However, one campaigner said: ‘While it is welcome news that the Government is moving in the right direction on fuel poverty, this initiative does not go nearly far enough to deal with the looming fuel poverty crisis.’

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Written by admin · Filed Under Energy, Utilities 

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