Call for action to end fuel poverty
Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has called on the Government to address fuel poverty so the country can emerge from the pandemic a more equitable and healthy society.
With 3.2 million households in England living in fuel poverty, the MP made a speech to Parliament last week voicing her concerns.
She said that nobody in the 21st century should have to make the decision between feeding their family and heating their home.
Mrs Hobhouse said: “In Bath and North East Somerset, 10.2 per cent of households struggle with fuel poverty. We have an excellent local Citizens Advice Bureau, but tackling this widespread problem requires urgent action from the Government.
“Fuel poverty means wrapping up in duvets during the day to stay warm, despite damp conditions or restricted mobility. Existing health conditions worsen and mental health deteriorates.
“The pandemic has created financial hardship. Domestic energy consumption has increased as more people work from home, leading to higher bills. And energy wholesale prices are also on the rise.
“We need a just transition in the decarbonisation process. Energyinefficient homes are one of the main causes of fuel poverty.
“The increase in low-income homes achieving an efficiency rating of band C or higher was one of the key drivers behind the reduction in fuel-poor homes from 2018-19.
“Government cannot rely solely on the Energy Companies Obligation and the Warm Homes Discount if it is serious about eradicating fuel poverty – and cutting our emissions in the process. We should be investing in training programmes to build the skills and expertise we need and introducing tougher energy efficiency and heating regulation.
“We should be giving a greater role to local authorities, who are best placed to support homeowners and landlords and identify those living in fuel poverty.
“This Government has failed to put forward a meaningful plan to transform our homes. Scrapping the Green Homes Grant was a clear example of poor delivery putting green jobs and more energy-efficient homes at risk.
“Official figures show that only 6 per cent of the Green Homes budget was actually spent. Only 25,000 vouchers out of an expected 600,000 were delivered after five months of the scheme. This is not good enough to solve the home insulation crisis over the next decade.
“I urge Ministers to put in place a new, long-term grant – and this time it must get those grants out quickly.”