Tuesday 3 February 2015

Help for fuel poor in Britain ‘down 80%’

There has been a dramatic fall in help available for those living in cold homes, new research claims.

The number of major energy efficiency measures delivered has dropped 80% - from 112,000 in the winter of 2011/12 to just 22,000 this winter.

The fall comes after the introduction of the Government’s “ineffective and unambitious” schemes – the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) - according to the Energy Bill Revolution, which commissioned the research.

The anti-fuel poverty campaign group claims less than 30% of the six million poorly insulated low income homes will receive energy efficiency support in the next decade.

It is calling on the next government to make energy efficiency a top infrastructure priority.

Ed Matthew from the Energy Bill Revolution believes energy efficiency policies have been an “unmitigated disaster” so far.

He added: “It is a complete disgrace that we are one of the richest countries in the world yet thousands continue to die of the cold because they can’t afford to keep their homes warm.

“If we are to end this needless suffering, we must make the homes of the fuel poor super energy efficient and roll out a national programme street by street through every constituency in the land.”

DECC however claims fuel poverty has fallen "year-on-year under this government" and it is spending more than before to help families this winter.

A spokesperson added: “Help is getting to people who need it most. Over half a billion has been invested in energy efficiency schemes and we’ve invested £310 million in the Warm Home Discount scheme to help vulnerable people pay their bills.”