21 January 2008
Around one in six Britons struggle to find the money to heat their own homes properly, the consumer group energywatch has announced.
A new study from the organisation shows that around 4.4 million householders suffer from fuel poverty - the highest figure for a decade.
The news comes with just two years before the government's stated pledge to eradicate fuel poverty by 2010.
Moreover, three of the UK's 'big six' energy suppliers - including market leaders British Gas - have hiked bills by up to 15% in the New Year, citing rising wholesale gas and electricity prices as justification.
In response to the energywatch research, an alliance of groups including the National Consumer Council (NCC) has written to Energy Minister John Hutton, urging him to force UK energy firms to tackle the fuel poverty issue.
"Among the effective responses to the harmful effects of escalating fuel prices is for the companies to offer low-cost 'social' tariffs to vulnerable households," the alliance said in a statement.
"Current company social tariff initiatives vary widely, it argues, and companies need to do more to raise standards."
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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