In response to the Government’s first annual energy statement which outlines action on energy and climate change policy, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy Policy at Consumer Focus, said: 

“The Government is taking welcome steps to ensure the UK has a secure, lower carbon, energy supply. Measures to help customers, such as using smart meters to cut energy use and energy efficiency schemes to stop homes leaking heat, will benefit many. 

“However there is no escaping the fact that steps to transform our energy system have a huge price tag and that this is going to impact hardest on the poorest consumers. 

“A clear strategy is needed to prevent the poorest homes being hit hard by the costs of these changes. Greater targeting of energy efficiency schemes to the poorest households is essential, as is continued funding for Warm Front, the only such scheme aimed at the fuel poor. We also want discounted energy tariffs extended to give the millions of vulnerable pensioners, families and disabled people in fuel poverty the cheapest deal possible.’

ENDS