6 December 2007
National Energy Action (NEA) met with industry leaders and MPs this week in a bid to tackle growing levels of fuel poverty in Wales.
'Warming Up: Taking action on fuel poverty' brought together local government figures and energy organisations to minimise fuel poverty among low-income households.
Recent figures have shown that fuel poverty has almost doubled in the past few years as a result of rising energy prices.
NEA says that many poorer households put their health at risk because they go without heating or get into unmanageable debt just to pay the bills.
"With the cold weather now arriving, we need to focus on what can be done at a local level to address the problems faced by the thousands of households who simply cannot afford to keep their homes warm in winter," NEA Cymru Director, Nuria Zolle, explained.
Welsh Assembly Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson added: "Poverty always affects the most disadvantaged people such as the elderly, benefit dependant families and the sick and disabled. It affects people’s health and general well-being.
"We need to fight fuel poverty on three fronts - making homes more energy efficient, maximising income and getting the best fuel prices for vulnerable households."
Figures for 2004 show 130,000 households in Wales are currently living in fuel poverty.
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