Government urged to take stronger action against fuel poverty

UK MPs have called on the Government to take stronger action to tackle fuel poverty in privately rented and off-grid sectors. Tim Yeo MP, Chairman of the Energy and Climate […]

UK MPs have called on the Government to take stronger action to tackle fuel poverty in privately rented and off-grid sectors. Tim Yeo MP, Chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Committee wrote to Energy Minister Greg Barker last week highlighting the important issues raised during the Committee’s inquiry into fuel poverty.

Mr Yeo said the off-grid population doesn’t have the option of controlling costs as they do not have access to a range of suppliers. He also said fuel poverty is higher among households which do not have gas heating.

He suggested tenants in the private sector who ask for energy efficiency improvements need protection from landlords who may evict them.

Dave Timms, Warm Homes Campaigner of green group Friends of the Earth has welcomed the suggestions: “This is welcome advice from the Committee – homes rented from a landlord are the most likely to lack basic insulation, meaning they waste energy and cost a fortune to heat.

“With the number of people in rented homes rising annually, the Government must move faster to ensure they meet a basic energy efficiency standard and close loopholes to prevent large numbers of dangerously cold rented homes slipping through the net.”

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