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Fuel poverty target warning issued

The government's own 2010 fuel poverty target is looking increasingly out of reach, according to a statement by the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (FPAG).

Commonly, fuel poverty is defined as households spending in excess of ten per cent of total income on fuel costs.

Estimates suggest that 2.3 million vulnerable households currently fall into this category and the government has a statutory target to reduce this figure by 2010 and completely eradicate the problem by 2016.

The FPAG says the government has virtually "given up" on the 2010 target, and that much more can be done.

Peter Lehmann, chair of FPAG, told the Press Association that the government had done a "great deal" on fuel poverty.

He added: "They have not fully recognised the importance, in a world of high energy prices, of securing the highest possible energy efficiency - hence energy bills as low as possible in the homes of low income and vulnerable households."

The FPAG said government spending on fuel poverty would reach £770 million during 2008-11, but that was significantly less than the £1 billion needed to reach the 2016 target.

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