We must do more to reduce fuel poverty

Statistics on fuel poverty in the UK have recently been released by the government. 'Fuel poverty' means that more than 10% of household income is spent on keeping the home warm.

The report shows that across the UK, fuel poverty fell from 5.5m households in 2009 to 4.75m in 2010. However, in 2010, almost 10,000 households in Bath and North East Somerset were in fuel poverty.

Don Foster, MP for Bath, has said: "It is good news that fuel poverty went down in 2010 but we shouldn't be complacent. With the rises in energy price rises in the last few years, many households have been struggling to keep warm. We must continue to work hard towards eliminating fuel poverty."

One opportunity to access heating and insulation improvements is the "Warm Front" scheme. This is available to families who receive certain income-related benefits and who live in properties that are poorly insulated and/or do not have a working central heating system. Qualifying households can get improvements worth up to £3,500 (£6,000 where oil central heating and other alternative technologies are recommended). For more information on Warm Front, see: http://bit.ly/eyMg2z 

Don Foster added: "I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply to the Warm Front scheme, which will provide insulation and heating improvements to reduce costs and keep people warm ahead of next winter. I also call on every household to use price comparison tools to switch to the cheapest energy provider and reduce their bills."

The government is also bringing in the 'Green Deal' later this year. The scheme has been welcomed by Councillor David Martin from Bathwick, who is also the B&NES 'Member Champion' for Energy and Climate Change.

David said: "Another opportunity to tackle fuel poverty is through the Coalition Government's Green Deal. From the autumn, every household will be able to insulate their houses without any upfront outlay as the costs will be covered through savings on energy bills – this is a key principle of the scheme.

"The scheme will help cut energy bills, create jobs and help create a greener economy and I'm really pleased that the Liberal Democrat-run Council in Bath has set aside funding to prepare for the Green Deal."