Government dithers whilst fuel poverty persists - Webb

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Apr 2008

Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary

Commenting on the outcome of Ofgem's summit today where energy companies promised to renew their efforts to tackle fuel poverty, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Steve Webb said:

"Yet again, ministers are crossing their fingers and hoping that the problem will go away rather than using their powers to force the energy companies to help poor customers. Whilst the Government has dithered the penalty for being a customer on a pre-payment meter has actually gone up. The problem has been well known for years, but still nothing has been done.

"The array of different energy suppliers and deals on offer can be completely baffling for many households. The Government must legislate now to give vulnerable consumers a right to the best tariff that their energy supplier offers.Ministers claiming they're committed to the fuel poverty targets shows how totally out of touch they really are.

"With more than four million households already living in fuel poverty, and with further huge price hikes expected later this year, there is no way the Government will eradicate fuel poverty unless its policies are dramatically toughened."