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Fuel Poverty Strategy Is Lost Opportunity Says Consumer Council

Tuesday 23 November 2004

While the General Consumer Council has welcomed the publication of the first ever fuel poverty strategy for Northern Ireland, it says that the strategy fails to deliver the resources to tackle the scourge that leaves 203,000 households unable to heat their homes.

The strategy clearly outlines the causes and extent of fuel poverty. However, despite extensive consultation, it pays little attention to the efforts, views and suggestions by all interested parties and therefore fails to deliver the measures and resources to tackle fuel poverty effectively.

Wesley Henderson, Director of Energy at the Consumer Council said: “One in three households here is in fuel poverty - the highest levels in the United Kingdom. With lower incomes and higher energy prices than the rest of the UK, the strategy needs more resources and tougher targets, not less.

“We are particularly disappointed that there will be no additional resources available to tackle fuel poverty. This is at a time of rising energy prices, and growing anxiety about water charges and rates bills. It is also unacceptable that there will be no legislative target to take people out of fuel poverty as in the rest of the UK.  Without such a target and additional resources, the fuel poor of Northern Ireland are losing out.

“In addition, we are disappointed that the Government has not extended the criteria for its Warm Homes Scheme. Currently, it is only available to those on benefits or over 60. We believe that many more people should be eligible for this scheme.”

“However, we are pleased to see joint funding for a Community Energy Programme Co-ordinator, new legislation to replace the Rent Order 1978 to force landlords to repair and maintain heating systems and the establishment of an inter-departmental group to oversee the strategy.”

The Consumer Council is calling for Government to rethink the strategy and to work with it and others such as National Energy Action (NEA) and locally elected representatives to ensure that the fuel poor can keep warm this and every winter.

  1. General Consumer Council media contact: Susie Brown, telephone, 028 9067 4807 or e-mail, susie.brown@gccni.org.uk
  2. The General Consumer Council is an independent consumer organisation, working to bring about change to benefit Northern Ireland's consumers. The Council campaigns for high standards of service and protection and a fair deal for all. It also carries out research, gives advice and publishes reports and other publications. It deals with individual complaints about electricity, natural gas, coal and passenger transport.

For more information, visit our website at www.gccni.org.uk

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