Charities: Government's energy help needs to go further

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Charities: Government's energy help needs to go further

Fri 12th Sep 2008

Moves by the government to assist people struggling to pay for fuel this winter need further reform to be effective, charities have said.

Age Concern, for older people, and homeless charity Shelter both said that more action was needed.

According to Age Concern, the government's Warm Front programme, which offers help for insulation and heating improvements for eligible people, should be "urgently reviewed" and needs at least 25 per cent more funding.

While welcoming energy efficiency measures, Age Concern called for "wider pricing reforms" to tackle fuel poverty.

It said that even with increases to the winter fuel payment for people over 60, the grant still covers less than a fifth of the average energy bill.

Meanwhile, Shelter said that many people still do not qualify for cold weather payments, such as low income couples and families with children over five.

It said that the "reality" is that many households will still not be able to heat their homes this winter.

The Warm Front scheme offers help to people receiving certain benefits and even some who are not.

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