Report shows Government is failing to tackle fuel poverty

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 5th Feb 2008

The Government has been criticised over its failure to help poor people by the watchdog that ministers set up to monitor fuel poverty. The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group has criticised the Government over its record on fuel poverty, with consumers now paying more than 50 per cent more on utility bills compared with five years ago, whilst energy companies' costs have risen by only a fraction of this. In the past month, four of the biggest suppliers have announced substantial rises in the price of gas and electricity.

Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson said "The government cannot just abdicate responsibility for fuel poverty. It's shocking that the Energy Bill currently before Parliament doesn't even mention the subject. At the moment the only thing rising faster than household fuel bills are the profits of the energy companies. There is plenty more that the Government could do to ensure lower income consumers have access to the best prices available."