Burnham calls for meaningful action on fuel poverty

5.00.00pm GMT Wed 18th Nov 2009

Eleanor Burnham, Assembly Member for North Wales has called on the Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson, to make sure that any revised strategy on addressing fuel poverty in Wales is meaningful and robust.

Eleanor, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Older People, said:

"I welcome the news that a revised fuel poverty plan is being proposed. The previous strategy was clearly inadequate.

"Last winter there were 1500 "excess winter deaths" in Wales - 7% more than the previous year. 87% of those who died were aged 75 and over.

"Figures produced by experts estimate price hikes of around 17% in domestic fuel bills and I am adding my concerns to those of Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales.

"We need robust and comprehensive data on the extent of fuel poverty to ensure that any household faced with a choice of eating or heating this winter is given the meaningful support it needs.

"Warm words are not enough - warm homes must be the key objective this winter".