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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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Labour/Plaid Warm Words' approach on fuel poverty won't heat homes warns AM
October 15, 2008 12:00 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Social Justice, Peter Black has warned that Labour's exhortation of Welsh local authorities to do more will not heat homes for the fuel poor this winter.
Mr. Black was reacting to reports of a recent speech made by Welsh Environment Minister, Jane Davidson in which she identified three crucial areas for action. An account of the speech appears in this week's 'Public Finance' magazine.
"It is all very well for the Minister to tell local authorities in Wales that they must consider how fighting fuel poverty fits into all their other responsibilities. However, the three key areas she identified - increasing home energy efficiency, maximising income, and getting the best fuel prices for the poorest households - all require substantial intervention from the Assembly Government if this is not to be the usual Labour/Plaid 'Warm Words' approach to solving Wales' problems.
"Local authorities do have a vital role in this area, but it isn't a role that they can fulfil without more money from the Welsh Government. The Welsh home energy efficiency scheme needs more money; maximising income will mean paying for more benefits advice and getting more good jobs will mean paying to build the infrastructure that employers require. As for getting the power companies to stop ripping off the poorest customers with their pre-paid meter charges, that is a government responsibility which Labour and Plaid should not be trying to shuffle off onto local councils.
"In England, councils are allowed to use the money they save on better services for local people. In Wales, Labour and Plaid keep it for themselves centrally. They could make a start by handing back the £38 million involved to Welsh councils.
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