This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-16005540
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| One in four face fuel poverty, says Consumer Focus | One in four face fuel poverty, says Consumer Focus |
| (40 minutes 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 UK government to support a new energy efficiency programme in England. | |
| The Welsh government said it was committed to tackling fuel poverty, with schemes including Arbed, a £60m investment in improving energy efficiency in some of the most deprived areas of Wales. | |
| "Our programmes also ensure that householders struggling to keep their homes warm can receive advice on debt and maximising their income, for example with benefit entitlement checks," said a spokesman. | |
| Calculations | Calculations |
| The estimates are based on the most recent official government figures on fuel poverty, which date from 2009. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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." |