More action needed on fuel poverty say Welsh Lib Dems

12.00.00am GMT Wed 7th Nov 2007

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have used a Welsh Assembly debate to call on the government to take stronger action in order to reduce fuel poverty in Wales.

They were responding to figures that show that the number of people living in fuel poverty has almost doubled from an estimated 130,000 households in 2004 to 240,000 households in 2007. Between 2003 and 2006 electricity prices rose 64% and gas prices rose 90%. The average annual fuel bill of a Welsh household is now £1000, 10% higher than the UK national average.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) grants have paid out over £50 million towards helping improve fuel efficiency in homes and reduce fuel poverty. However, according to the government's 'living in Wales' report, only 29% of those who benefited from the Scheme were actually classed as living in fuel poverty, which is defined as when 10% or more of their income is used to heat their homes.

"While the Welsh Liberal Democrats agree with the aims and objectives of the Scheme, we must have an urgent review of how the money is distributed." said the party's Communities, Housing and Social Justice Spokesperson, Peter Black. "Figures also show that the number of people applying to HEES is falling despite the fact that the number of people living in fuel poverty is rising. The scheme has now run out of money for the rest of this financial year leaving many applicants, without adequate insulation, struggling to make ends meet as their energy bills soar. The government must take action to fix this."

"The government needs to review how the money is distributed to ensure that as many households as possible are helped by the scheme. They need to target it better at those living in fuel poverty so as to increase the proportion of such people helped by the scheme."