Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

Delay on fuel poverty statistics unacceptable says AM

January 9, 2008 12:00 AM

Up-to-date statistics detailing the number of people living in fuel poverty in individual Welsh communities due to be published in summer 2007 have been delayed until at least June 2008 because the research has not even been started yet, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice spokesperson, Peter Black, has discovered.

The former Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration commissioned the Centre for Sustainable Energy to estimate the number of people living in fuel poverty in each electoral ward in Wales with a target date of summer 2007 however these figures are not now going to produced until at least June 2008.

The latest statistics that are available date back to 2004, it was estimated that 134,000 households in Wales lived in fuel poverty, but these will not take into account recent sustained increases in fuel prices. Last week, energy company 'Npower' announced that they will be raising electricity prices by 12.7% and gas prices by 17.2%. The most recent estimate is that there are approximately 240,000 fuel poor households in Wales, double the number of three years ago.

"If the government is serious about it's commitments to tackle fuel poverty then they must have adequate information about the extent and scope of the problem in Wales," said Mr. Black. "Without accurate statistics then they will be unable to target scarce resources and their current strategy will become no more than a random stab in the dark."

"The 2004 statistics only give estimates based on three geographical areas of North, Mid and South Wales and there are clear regional differences. A realistic plan to deal with fuel poverty would have to be based upon a knowledge of which communities are most in need of support and this cannot be achieved with the information currently available."

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your contact details, Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    southwaleslibdems.org.uk/en/article/2008/115950/delay-on-fuel-poverty-statistics-unacceptable-says-am
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    southwaleslibdems.org.uk/a051w

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image

    Print this page

  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join the Liberal Democrats

  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    • If you agree, Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Contact us by email, post, or phone