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| One in four face fuel poverty, says Consumer Focus | One in four face fuel poverty, says Consumer Focus |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The proportion of homes in fuel poverty in England and Wales has risen from 18% to 24% in two years, estimates suggest. | The proportion of homes in fuel poverty in England and Wales has risen from 18% to 24% in two years, estimates suggest. |
| Consumer Focus calculated that nearly 5.7 million households are in fuel poverty - when more than 10% of their disposable income is spent on fuel. | Consumer Focus calculated that nearly 5.7 million households are in fuel poverty - when more than 10% of their disposable income is spent on fuel. |
| The watchdog said the issue was particularly acute in Wales, where 41% of households were in fuel poverty. | The watchdog said the issue was particularly acute in Wales, where 41% of households were in fuel poverty. |
| A number of subsidies are available to householders to help them make homes more efficient and cut bills. | A number of subsidies are available to householders to help them make homes more efficient and cut bills. |
| Consumer Focus called on the government to support a new energy efficiency programme. | Consumer Focus called on the government to support a new energy efficiency programme. |
| Calculations | |
| The estimates are based on the most recent official government figures on fuel poverty, which date from 2009. | |
| Energy price rises, changes to household income and alterations to household energy efficiency were then factored in. | |
| "Recent energy price rises have pushed many more people across the country into fuel poverty," said Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at Consumer Focus. | |
| "It is difficult to see how the government is going to meet its target to end fuel poverty by 2016. | |
| "With so many people struggling to afford their energy bills, we urge the government to use the proceeds from new carbon taxes to support a national energy efficiency programme to give extra help to those who need it." |