Labour plans fuel help for poor

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The proposals will see assistance given to households to improve their energy efficiency, cut costs and ensure they are on the best value tariff with their gas and electricity providers.

But campaigners criticised the plan for being a mere "reshuffling" of old ideas that did not go far enough to alleviate fuel poverty.

Fuel poverty is said to occur when a household pays more than 10% of its income on energy bills.

Among the measures to be announced is a pilot scheme to ensure people applying for Warm Front grants are referred to their energy supplier for tariff advice.

In addition £150,000 will be put into the rolling out of watchdog Ofgem's national Citizens Advice Bureau awareness campaign on social assistance for the vulnerable.

Ministers also pledged £3 million as part of the low carbon building programme to encourage microgeneration - small scale alternative energy schemes - among fuel poor communities.

Environment Minister Phil Woolas said: "Household bills are rising and purse strings are tightening. Encouraging energy efficiency is crucial because it really does cut costs - especially for those who can least afford energy price hikes.

"These new measures will make homes across the country more energy efficient and give people at risk of fuel poverty a boost where they need it most. Fuel poverty isn't just a winter issue - it is about working all year round to improve the homes of some of the most vulnerable people in this country."

Responding to the announcement Kate Jopling, head of public affairs at Help the Aged, said: "While it is welcome news that the Government is moving in the right direction on fuel poverty, this initiative does not go nearly far enough to deal with the looming fuel poverty crisis."