Fuel poverty bill leaves flat owners out in the cold

A warm homes Bill aimed at ending fuel poverty was blocked by the Government as too few MP’s turned up to vote on its future progress. The proposed Bill had significant implications for leaseholders around the country, many of whom struggle to heat their flats economically. A household is said to be in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel to maintain a satisfactory heating regime (usually 21 degrees for the main living area, and 18 degrees for other occupied rooms).

Bob Smytherman, Chairman of the Federation of Private Residents Associations, commented: “The Bill could
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. Our best hope now is to put as much pressure as possible on the Government to change their minds and support the Bill. Without government support I am afraid it looks doomed.”