GOVERNMENT INACTION AS FUEL POVERTY IN WALES SET TO RISE AGAIN

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Apr 2008

Commenting on the outcome of Ofgem's summit today where energy companies promised to renew their efforts to tackle fuel poverty, Jenny Willott MP said: ,

"Government 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.

"According to Energywatch, there are around 300,000 fuel poor homes in Wales. If the estimates for future prices rises are correct, tens of thousands more Welsh households will fall into fuel poverty by the end of the summer.

"The Government still has done nothing to stop the excessive charging of customers on pre-pay meters and the array of different energy suppliers and deals on offer becomes ever more baffling for many households.

"The Government must legislate now to give vulnerable consumers a right to the best tariff that their energy supplier offers."