8 June 2007
The government's Climate Change and Environment Minister, Ian Pearson, has stated that work to tackle climate change and improve energy efficiency will benefit the more vulnerable sections of society.
Speaking at an Energywatch conference, Mr Pearson said that those on low incomes "should not have to choose between heating and eating".
Measures in the government's Energy White Paper include raising the standards of energy-using products and providing homeowners with better advice on how they can address their own energy efficiency.
These are not only designed to help people lead greener lives, but to save considerable amounts of money on their bills as well.
"Fuel prices have increased and many homes have inefficient heating systems and a lack of insulation which means that fuel is wasted unnecessarily - this costs people money, but also harms the environment," Mr Pearson commented.
"Through the measures we announced in the Energy White Paper, an extra 200,000 homes will be taken out of fuel poverty - ensuring that they are spending less of their incomes on heating their homes."