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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Fuel Poverty - People need practical, timely help, not warm words
March 15, 2008 12:00 AM
Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice spokesperson, Peter Black has called on the Labour government to force power companies to take responsibility for helping those in fuel poverty rather than leaving it up to voluntary arrangements as was suggested in Labour's budget this week.
In his budget the Chancellor said he wanted energy companies to triple spending on social tariffs for vulnerable customers to at least £150m a year, and ensure the 5 million customers on pre-payment meters got a fairer deal but he stopped short of forcing them to do so.
Mr. Black said: -
"The power companies have a sorry track record of making eye-watering profits from hard-pressed consumers by keeping prices high while their costs fell last year. There is no evidence that they will act anymore responsibly over social tariffs than they have done in the past. In the end, they will need to be compelled to do it by law. The Labour Government should realise this and act now.
"Labour bottled out of taxing the windfall profits made by the power companies last year. Their much-trumpeted increase in the winter fuel payment, though welcome, turns out to be for one year only - 2009. What about 2010 and afterwards? "Pensioners and families on low incomes need practical sustained help now.
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