Campaigners across Wales have come together to end the scourge of fuel poverty in Wales.
The new Wales Fuel Poverty Coalition is led by Consumer Focus Wales and NEA Cymru and includes a dozen major campaign groups.
The coalition will launch a charter for fuel poverty in Wales today (October 20) at the Norwegian Church, presenting it to Environment Minister Jane Davidson, who has responsibility for fuel poverty in Wales.
The Charter calls for:
1. A detailed action plan setting out how and when fuel poverty will be eradicated in Wales;
2. Support for all fuel poor households to stay warm – until fuel poverty is eradicated;
3. A co-ordinated and united approach across the statutory sector (at UK and Wales level) that involves partners from the private, voluntary and community sectors in Wales.
Nuria Zolle, Director of NEA Cymru and chair of the coalition, said: “The coalition has gathered in the belief that it is essential and achievable for fuel poverty to be eradicated in Wales by 2018. The organisation calls for a fundamental change of stance at the higher national level as well as the local.
“No-one is in favour of fuel poverty – but without a concerted and co-ordinated action plan, and support for those suffering, we will still be living with it in a decade’s time. The coalition has come together to say now is the time for action.”
The Charter launch comes just weeks before the Assembly Government is expected to publish a new strategy to tackle fuel poverty in Wales.
Partners in the coalition’s launch include: Citizens Advice Cymru, Age Concern Cymru & Help the Aged in Wales, Community Housing Cymru, Children in Wales, West Wales Eco Centre, Macmillan Cancer Support, Shelter Cymru, Disability Wales, Oxfam Cymru, Care & Repair Cymru, End Child Poverty Network Cymru, NEA Cymru and Consumer Focus Wales.
Maria Battle, Senior Director of Consumer Focus Wales, added: “The three simple messages in the fuel poverty charter for Wales are a clear call to action for governments in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, to our local authorities, and to all of us who care about people in Wales.
“Too many people in Wales are having to choose this winter between heating and eating. Too many people, including children, are suffering the direct and indirect effects of fuel poverty. We believe no-one in Wales should have to live in a cold home. We need to take urgent action, particularly in these difficult economic times, if we are to build a Wales where fuel poverty is a part of our history – not of our present.”
Notes:
The full charter can be seen by clicking here www.fuelpovertycharter.org.uk
Around 320,000 households in Wales experience fuel poverty.
This means that they would need to spend 10% or more of their income on energy to adequately heat the home.
In Wales, high energy prices are compounded by poor housing stock, a high incidence of poverty and low income, and a high proportion of homes not connected to the gas network.
