Further delay to Fuel Poverty Statistics uncovered

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Jul 2008

Peter Black AM, the Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Social Justice, has discovered that the publication of Fuel Poverty Statistics at a local level has been delayed again.

In January, Mr Black was told that the statistics had been due to be published in summer 2007 but that the Government was now aiming for June 2008. However, Mr Black has now spoken to the Centre for Sustainable Energy, who have been commissioned to conduct the research, who have stated that they are hoping the draft report will be completed by the end of August 2008, more than a year late.

The Fuel Poverty Indicator for England was published in 2003 and is now in the process of being updated.

"The recent increases in fuel prices have meant that it has become more urgent than ever that these statistics should be available." said Mr Black. "How does the Government expect to target their support for families affected by fuel poverty if they do not know where the problem areas are?"

"The Minister should be ashamed. Why did they not come to the chamber or issue a statement announcing the delay? The initial delay in setting up this research is the reason why we still do not have access to the results."

"The Government must put their weight onto the University conducting the research and the Centre for Sustainable Energy to ensure that this date is not allowed to slip any further."