Government has shied away from action on shocking fuel poverty figures - Hughes

11.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Oct 2009

fuel poverty

Commenting on the latest Government figures showing the number of people in fuel poverty rose to 4m in 2007, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary Simon Hughes said:

"These shocking figures show that millions of vulnerable people are being let down by the Government's weak-kneed attempts to tackle fuel poverty.

"Much of the explanation for this lies in the fact that ministers have shied away from tough action to make sure energy companies pass on lower wholesale prices in the form of reduced bills.

"The energy market operates much like a cartel and must be immediately investigated by the Competition Commission.

"It is unacceptable that people are forced to borrow beyond their means in efforts to keep their homes warm.

"The Government must act swiftly to reverse the unfair system that makes the first units of energy used the most expensive. Those who use less should pay lower prices.

"With up to a million more people set to experience fuel poverty in the coming year, it is high time the Government accelerated efforts to get homes insulated so that every home is energy efficient by 2020."