ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on the Ofgem-organised fuel poverty conference, attended by ministers, energy companies and consumer groups.

Campaign groups have said that the average fuel bill for a pensioner has risen 15 per cent to £1,000 and the government must do something to tackle the problem.

Party response: Liberal Democrat

Steve Webb, environment spokesperson, said: "The level of fuel poverty in this country is a scandal, with over four million households struggling to meet the soaring cost of energy. The last thing they need is another talking shop.

"This summit is just a flimsy substitute for the action that really needs to be taken.
 
"The government must put fuel poverty at the top of its agenda and back that up by boosting investment in fuel efficiency measures.

"Following the proposed measures agreed with the energy companies to increase the funding for social tariffs, ministers and Ofgem must require the companies to offer their lowest prices to vulnerable households."

Stakeholder response: Help the Aged

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Mervyn Kohler, special adviser for Help the Aged, said: "Today's summit is a worthy but inadequate response to a problem that is exploding in our faces. It is the most vulnerable who are forced to suffer the daily impact of fuel poverty and older people are especially exposed.

"With news that another hike in energy prices may be on its way, the social schemes of energy providers alone can not put an end to fuel poverty.

"What's needed is a dynamic and sustainable strategy from government, focusing on improving the energy efficiency of housing and addressing the long-term need to save on domestic energy consumption. Help the Aged has joined forces with Friends of the Earth to seek a judicial review to ensure the government is held to its legal obligation to eradicate fuel poverty."

Stakeholder response: National Insulation Association

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Neil Marshall, CEO of the NIA, said: "We fully support the summit  and any additional action taken to combat fuel poverty. However, we will be keen to see recommendations arising from the meeting which address the problem in the long-term, not just a 'quick fix'.

"It's critical that all vulnerable households are fully insulated, as this is a one-off measure which will not only immediately improve comfort levels, but will reduce energy consumption year after year – at current figures, the provision of cavity wall and loft insulation can reduce the average fuel bill by around £200 per annum.

There are many schemes and grants currently available, including free insulation measures for those aged 70 and over and on qualifying benefits. 

"There is a real need to increase awareness and targeting of these grants and inject additional funds into effective home insulation measures, in order to fuel poverty-proof housing for those in need. It's only by investment in creating energy efficient housing for the future, combined with targeted social assistance funding, that the issue of fuel poverty can ever be resolved."

Stakeholder response: Age Concern

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Gordon Lishman,director general, said: "The high profile presence of ministers and energy bosses at today's summit should not fool people into believing that solutions to eradicate fuel poverty are being delivered. Whilst the government's strategy to tackle the problem is unravelling, well over two million older people are living in fuel poverty and growing increasingly anxious about their rapidly rising fuel bills.

"Gordon Brown must prove he is in touch with people's concerns by holding his own urgent summit to get the strategy back on track."