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Fuel bills under the spotlight
People who cannot afford their fuel bills should be given discounts and help with energy-saving measures, writes Paul Lewis
Energywatch, the gas and electricity watchdog, wants the Government to force energy companies to introduce what it calls "social tariffs" for people in "fuel poverty" - those who spend more than 10 per cent of their income on energy bills, and the Government has committed itself to take all vulnerable households - including all households with anyone over 60 - out of fuel poverty by 2010 and all households by 2016.
But with gas bills up 94% and electricity up 60% from 2003 to 2006, that target is looking increasingly elusive.
At present, some energy suppliers do offer reduced prices to some low-income customers, but provision is patchy. People with pre-payment meters can pay £100 a year more for their fuel than those who pay by direct debit.
Energywatch wants the Government to compel energy companies to provide three things: a cheaper tariff, help with insulation and other improvements to reduce energy use, and benefit entitlement checks to maximise income.
The power companies would pay for the programme as part of the existing obligations to reduce the amount of energy the nation uses.
This article was created: 29 June 2007.
This article was last edited: 29 June 2007.
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