Fuel poverty measures slated

Campaigners have slated measures that have been put into place by the government to address fuel poverty amongst pensioners, stating that the proposals are simply a reshuffle of old ideas that will not have any real impact on fuel poverty levels. The measures have been proposed as a result of energy usage price hikes, with energy firms set to raise usage costs again in the autumn having already done so at the beginning of the year.

The plan involves reforming data protection laws so that pensioners can be contacted directly and help can be offered. The Energy Minister recently stated: ‘One of the best ways to tackle fuel poverty is to make sure the heat, and the fuel that is used as it’s so costly, keeps people warm and doesn’t go out the window.’

He added: ‘The problem has been that because of data protection laws we haven’t always been able to say to the electricity or gas company ‘This is the person that needs that help’, so we’re taking measures … to reform the Pensions Bill that’s going through Parliament at the moment so that we can cut through some of these data protection issues.’

However, an official from Help the Aged said: ‘While it is welcome news that the Government is moving in the right direction on fuel poverty, this initiative does not go nearly far enough to deal with the looming fuel poverty crisis.’