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Andrew StunellWorking hard for Bredbury, Compstall, Great Moor, Hawk Green, Hazel Grove, Heaviley, High Lane, Marple, Marple Bridge, Mellor, Offerton, Romiley, Rose Hill, Strines & Woodley since 1997 |
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Energy providers must start helping most vulnerable
August 8, 2008 12:18 PM
A local MP has demanded that gas and electricity companies supplying Stockport residents be forced to use a £9 billion subsidy to help protect some of the most vulnerable people from the effects of fuel poverty.
Andrew Stunell made the call after the Liberal Democrats published their document Tackling Fuel Poverty, which sets out measures designed to help people struggling from rising energy costs.
An estimated 4.5 million households are in fuel poverty in the UK, 20,000 in Stockport alone.
Energy firms have received an estimated £9 billion windfall through the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme, designed to push them into low-carbon energy production. However, Ofgem, the energy regulator, has suggested that the true figure could be even higher, because the cost of the 'certificates' used has been set so low. As a result carbon emissions are remaining high, and the companies are pocketing the cash.
Mr Stunell, the Hazel Grove MP, outlined key proposals in the Lib Dems policy, including forcing energy companies to invest an extra £500m a year into making sure homes are properly insulated. The proposals would also require energy companies to install new 'smart meters' in homes, which display real time consumption costs and reduce over-charging for energy.
Mr Stunell said:
"It's not right that energy companies should receive this huge subsidy without being obliged to use it to give a fairer deal to their customers.
"The fact is many families in Stockport are facing a real struggle to pay their energy bills, and the situation will only get worse this winter.
"This multi-billion pound windfall for the energy firms has to be used to protect the most vulnerable people from the effects of fuel poverty.
"Action has to be taken now to make the energy industry take responsibility for its customers, or the most vulnerable people will continue to lose out."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For more information or copies of the Liberal Democrat paper Tackling Fuel Poverty, please contact Zoë Horwich on 020 7219 5223 or at horwichz@parliament.uk.
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