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Energy-crisis action needed to help protect vulnerable and the elderlyBritain’s leading campaigners for the elderly have warned that millions face a heating crisis, “HEAT or EAT” this winter unless drastic action is taken. One organisation is demanding that some of the billions of pounds of additional revenue now coming into the Government’s coffers through ascending energy prices are allocated to prevent people from falling into debt this winter or worse suffering HYPOTHERMIA. Rising fuel prices have meant that around 2.5m older people on low, fixed incomes are now living in “ fuel poverty” – where more than 10-per-cent of their income is spent on fuel. The figure is continuing to ascend, despite the Government’s promise to wipe-out fuel poverty by 2010. The Government’s recent pledge to increase spending on home insulation in poorer homes by £900m over the next three-years has been dismissed by organisations including Age Concern. The National Pensioners Convention and Help the Aged as totally inadequate. And Senior Citizens Party has described it as a “scam”, as few people additional to those who have qualified for help will benefit. According to the NPC’s Dot Gibson, “Every one-per-cent increase in bills means a further 40,000 older people fall into fuel poverty. Older people are facing even higher bills than before and having to make the unenviable choice between whether to eat or heat.“ It’s time the government intervened to prevent the energy companies making profits at the mercy of the vulnerable pensioners, raised the winter fuel allowance to £500 and regulated social tariffs to give proper discounts to older customers. Help the Aged has polled MPs and found that nine-out-of-ten would back a more radical approach than that put forward by PM Gordon Brown. According to the Charity, the UK Government‘s latest contribution to Warm Front in England actually failed to reverse previous cuts made to the scheme. And there’s real risk that £900m-which will come from the energy suppliers-will end up being paid for by customers. “Radical action is needed-fast”. Help the Aged’s, Mervyn Kohler told Mature Times, “Yes extending insulation for homes is a good idea and will help long term. But a short-term fix is needed. An extra £250 on the winter fuel allowance would cost £2bn. And we need to really combat the poor energy ratings of millions of homes where we have already had the easy gains-loft and cavity wall insulation. We need to install efficient new boilers and solid walls. That would cost perhaps £10bn over four-five-years.“ But before people say that’s not affordable, bear in mind that every time energy prices have gone up this year at the Treasury has benefited. North Sea oil revenues alone have generated an additional £8bn to expectations.“And because five-per-cent VAT goes on every fuel bill, the Government has gained an extra £1.5-£2bn. The Treasury doesn’t like ‘hypothecation’, where incoming funds are pre-allocated. But just the extra money Government has made from rising energy prices would more than do the job. “These are funds, after all, that were not expected or budgeted for”. So what can be done? “lobby your MP,” says Mervyn Kholer. “This issue is really bubbling up the political agenda. Tell them that what is on offer is not enough. And tell them to lobby the Ministers”. Check-out the following website to help save on your utility bills. http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/ Source: Mature Times October 2008 |
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