27 March 2008
Fuel poverty-reduction targets will not be met on time because of government policies, one organisation has said this week.
While The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group said that work has been done to improve the situation of some consumers, other in troubled waters could have been given greater help.
In a new report the group claimed that recent hikes in gas and electricity prices have meant that reduction goals - of 2010 and 2016 - will be more difficult to achieve.
"The government's policies over a period have now made it impossible to meet the 2010 target and this will result in a shortfall, greater than necessary," it said.
Chairman of the body Peter Lehmann stated that Chancellor Alastair Darling should have targeted a new winter fuel payment towards the poorest people.
It is hoped that by 2010 all energy customers deemed vulnerable will see fuel poverty shaken off, while this will be the case for all those in this situation by 2016.
Earlier this week, Business Secretary John Hutton urged the creation of more nuclear power stations in Britain.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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