A leading AM has urged the next Assembly to continue to make tackling fuel poverty a priority over the next four years.
Mark Isherwood, chair of the cross party group on Fuel Poverty, has issued his call, as the group meets for the final time ahead of the Welsh General Election in May. The group will publish a short document highlighting their actions over this Assembly term, and setting out suggestions for action in the next.
Mr Isherwood, Welsh Conservative AM for North Wales, said: “Over the last couple of years key milestones have been achieved in the fight against fuel poverty – including the publication of the Welsh Government’s new fuel poverty strategy – but there is much more to do.
“I hope that members of the next Assembly will continue to work with NEA Cymru, Consumer Focus Wales and other stakeholders, to ensure this issue remains a high priority for all those who have a role to play in combating it.
“The energy companies, the Welsh Government, the UK government, local authorities, the regulator Ofgem and others all have big roles to play if we are to wipe out fuel poverty.”
Recently published Welsh Government figures show that 320,000 households in Wales are in fuel poverty with over 520,000 predicted to fall into fuel poverty if energy prices continue to rise.
Mr Isherwood added: “Every Assembly Member has met constituency members who fall into this category. They are left choosing between living in cold homes or fuel bills they can’t afford. They end up living in misery and suffering ill health. This hardship is simply unacceptable.”
Nuria Zolle, director of NEA Cymru and chair of the Fuel Poverty Coalition Cymru, and Lindsey Kearton, Consumer Focus Wales, said: “The Cross party group on fuel poverty has proved to be an excellent way to address one of the key issues facing Wales. One in four households spends more than 10% of their income on heating their home. There is a genuine political will in all parties to address these issues, and the support and activity of the cross party group has proved very valuable to all of us campaigning to tackle fuel poverty.”
