New figures highlight growing 'fuel poverty' problems in Mid Dorset and North Poole

2.12.00pm GMT Fri 27th Feb 2009

Soaring energy bills have left an estimated 5414 households in Mid Dorset and North Poole in fuel poverty this winter, according to new figures highlighted by the Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Annette Brooke, is demanding the Government act urgently to help people struggling to pay their fuel bills and is calling on MPs of all parties to back the Fuel Poverty Bill being introduced by Liberal Democrat MP David Heath. According to figures released today by Consumer Focus, more than one in six households (17.3%) in the South West - over 360,000 - are now living in fuel poverty.

Annette said:

"These new estimates from Consumer Focus are truly shocking.

"It's not hard to see the culprit. Over the last five years average gas and electricity bills have more than doubled. The prices being paid by energy companies for fuel on the wholesale markets are coming down, but the companies aren't passing on the cuts to their customers. And meanwhile they are making big profits. This is totally unacceptable.

"As a result growing numbers of people are struggling to afford to heat their homes and as recession bites, here and across the country an increasing number of people are being faced with the dreadful choice between heating and eating.

"The Fuel Poverty Bill currently in Parliament, proposed by Liberal Democrat MP David Heath, would deliver a massive home insulation programme which would halve the energy needed to heat the average home. And it would end the scandal of those who use pre-pay meters - generally the least well-off - paying higher rates for their gas and electricity.

"The Government must give it their support."