Wicks: Govt acting against fuel poverty

Friday, 30, May 2008 12:00

Energy minister Malcolm Wicks says Britain's poorest energy customers will be assisted by Friday's fuel poverty announcements.

"We've got a commitment from the energy companies now to provide an extra £225 million in social assistance by increasing their investment to £150 million per year by 2011," he said.

"Now we're working on finding ways to get them the right information to enable them to get that money to those who need it the most. That's what's most important right now - making sure the most vulnerable, the elderly, the disabled and young families aren't cold in their own homes because they can't pay their bills.

"In the light of rising energy prices and the increasing global demand for energy we have to think long term and carefully and provide sustainable solutions to those most likely to need help.

"As well as measures to improve the incomes of the vulnerable, a key part of this must be energy efficiency which will help bring people's bills down in the future and keep their homes warm."