‘Fuel poverty set to increase’

At least 250,000 UK households will be pushed into fuel poverty if British Gas increases its prices by 15% this year as expected, it has been claimed.

Predicted sharp rises in energy bills mean Government targets for cutting numbers of people who struggle to pay for heating will not be met, according to a new study.
A recent Department of Trade and Industry report found 1.5 million households were in fuel poverty – meaning heating their homes to an adequate standard cost over 10% of their income – at the start of 2005.

Consumer price comparison website uSwitch.com said this figure could shoot up to 2.3 million by 2007 based on the bill hikes expected from British Gas, the nation’s largest energy supplier.

icHounslow