Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates is calling for the Welsh Government to step up the pace on energy efficiency installations, following research by Consumer Focus Wales which shows that more than nine out of ten people in Wales will have been hit by energy price rises over winter.
Since November 2010, five of the Big Six companies have increased their electricity and/or gas prices. Fuel poverty statistics released in November 2010 showed that in 2008, some 332,000 households were living in fuel poverty in Wales, an increase of nearly 250% on 2004.
Commenting, Assembly Member Mr Bates said:
“Recent research by Consumer Focus Wales, combined with the latest fuel poverty statistics, confirms our worst fears over the scale of the challenge to tackle fuel poverty across Wales. The research shows that more than nine out of ten people in Wales will have been hit by energy price rises over winter. This comes as figures show a staggering 200,000 more households are now living in fuel poverty than in 2004.
“The Labour-Plaid Government published a fuel poverty strategy last year based on figures from 2004, which are now out of date. Since then the number of households in fuel poverty has more than doubled and with the impact of increased energy prices this could be even higher. This gives little confidence that the Welsh fuel poverty strategy will be well targeted to tackle the soaring number of households that are classed as fuel poor.
“The Welsh Government must step up the pace on energy efficiency installations, which will play a huge part in helping to reduce fuel bills and keep people warm in their homes. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that more than 13,000 homes need to be refurbished every week to meet the UK’s target of reducing carbon emissions by 80% in 2050, so there is clearly much work to be done.
“I am pleased that the coalition government in Westminster is taking this issue seriously with its flagship ‘Green Deal’ energy efficiency scheme, which will help to improve the quality of housing and increase investment in energy efficiency, with extra support for fuel poor households. The Green Deal will benefit millions of homes across England, as well as bring jobs and develop key skills and it is crucial that we see similar scale investment here in Wales.”
