Energy suppliers encourage Government to act now on fuel poverty, 23 April 2008

Today’s fuel poverty summit must be just the first step towards an integrated strategy by Government to help Britain’s 4 million fuel poor households. The clock is ticking and energy suppliers will be eager to ensure that any investment they make is targeted effectively and makes a real difference to those who need help the most - starting this winter.

There are no quick fixes to tackle fuel poverty but the increased support that energy suppliers have pledged will go a long way towards expanding the existing toolkit of measures that provides direct practical help. We need this help to include ensuring consumers are on the right tariff and additional work with Government to use data to target poorly insulated homes. Along with Government action on housing quality and low incomes we could hit the problem at its source.

As part of this strategy energy suppliers need to be able to tailor the help they give to individual households, which is why we welcome the new clauses for the Energy Bill that provide an opportunity for the roll out of smart meters across the country. Smart meters would enable suppliers to add flexible tariffs to their package of measures to improve the quality of life of Britain’s poorest families.

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