Do more on fuel poverty (From Croydon Guardian)

Do more on fuel poverty

9:47am Thursday 13th November 2008

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More than one in five households in London may be unable to afford to heat their homes properly this winter.

According to new official figures, 760,000 London households are estimated to be in fuel poverty – a fourfold increase in the last five years.

Rising energy prices plus a failure to properly insulate homes mean many Londoners face a long hard winter.

No one should have to live in a cold damp home, but there is simply not enough being done by the Mayor and the Government to tackle fuel poverty. In the north of England, Kirklees Council, has begun an ambitious programme to insulate every home free of charge in order to slash emissions and save on fuel bills.

Much of the funding came from the energy companies as part of their climate change obligations. This is one of the practical steps that the Mayor of London could be taking to make London greener and more affordable.

DARREN JOHNSON
Green Party Member London Assembly

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