20 March 2007
The cost of gas and electricity has seen 1.7 million more households classified as "fuel poor" since 2003, the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes has claimed.
Rising gas and electricity bills occupy more than 10% of an income for three million households, meaning they fall into the fuel poverty bracket.
Research carried out by the partnership found that, between 2003 and 2006, gas prices and electricity prices had risen by 61% and 39% respectively.
Nicholas Doyle, a spokesman for the partnership which represents 700 industry bodies, commented: "For thousands of people, the prospect of a warm and comfortable home is now a luxury that they cannot afford.
"The stark reality is that many people from low-income backgrounds are now faced with the unenviable choice of deciding whether to heat their homes or provide for their family."
In order to address the fuel poverty issue, the partnership report said in the region of £14 billion needs to be invested by the government.
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