Fuel poverty
Press Association UK
Jul. 28, 2008. 06:50 AM EST

ORIGINAL POST

BBC News video segment: The UK government faces court action over claims millions are in fuel poverty despite a pledge to eradicate it.

Old age pensioner Philys Webb says fuel is more of a worry for her than food. It’s estimated that 5 million people in the United Kingdom are living in “fuel poverty,” meaning they need to spend 10 percent of their income on gas and electricity. In 2000, the UK government committed itself in law to eliminating fuel poverty for vulnerable households (those with children, pensioners, or disabled people) by 2010 and for everyone by 2016. It is widely believed the government will miss these targets outlined in The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000.

Fuel poverty strategy legal challenge

This past October 6-7, Help the Aged and Friends of the Earth argued before the High Court that the UK government is breaking the law in not doing everything reasonable to ease the problem of fuel poverty.

Energy efficiency is the long-term solution to the scourge of fuel poverty… A comprehensive programme to slash domestic energy waste would cut soaring fuel bills, tackle climate change and help reduce the UK’s dependency on coal, oil and gas. This should be kick-started by a windfall tax on energy firms’ profits.

Friends of the Earth’s greener homes campaigner, Dave Timms

Friends of the Earth recently signed a Fuel Poverty Charter with other leading charities and consumer groups which sets out a 10 point plan for solving fuel poverty.

Friends of the Earth energy efficiency and fuel reform action items

1.  Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to announce a comprehensive national programme of home energy efficiency and renewable energy installation:
• At least an extra £3 billion must be invested every year.
• All properties must be brought up to a minimum energy efficiency standard, starting with the homes of the fuel poor;
• Everyone  in the UK should be given the opportunity and financial support to make their home super-energy efficient and have renewable energy systems installed;
• Measures must be offered for free to all low income and vulnerable households;
• Conventional measures should be available, such as 270 mm loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, super-efficient boilers and thermostats, hot water tank insulation, draft-proofing and double or triple glazing;
• Also included must be more ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, for example solid wall and under-floor insulation, heat pumps, solar thermal, solar PV, combined heat and power systems, community wind and biomass boilers. Not all renewable energy measures are appropriate for every home, but every home should be installed with at least one type of renewable energy system.
• Also, crisis payments to low income and vulnerable households should be provided to help people heat their homes this winter.

2. Fitting proper insulation and renewable energy would result in fuel bills and carbon emissions in UK homes being slashed by two thirds. (Home Truths, Dr Brenda Boardman of Oxford University, November 2007: www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/green_homes_home_truths.html

3. www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/space¬
Fuel_Poverty_Charter_08092008.html

01.06.08 » Help the Aged: The Charity takes the Government to court
11.11.08 » Friends of the Earth: Fuel poverty plan lacks funding and ambition

Friends of the Earth ORGANIZATION »

PHOTO: Mary Phillips, 72, joins Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged outside the Royal Courts of Justice to protest at the Government’s failure to end fuel poverty. © Amelia Collins/Friends of the Earth.