Energy rations to lower heating oil bills 'will not help fuel poor'

24 January 2011

Posted by Kim Bardsley

The government's plans to introduce energy rations in an attempt to improve the environment and lower heating oil bills is not likely to help those who are fuel poor, it has been said.

Last week, a report was released by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Peak Oil and the Lean Economy Connection proposing Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs).

These would impose fuel rations among households in the UK, allowing people to buy energy should they need more credits.

However, Maria Wardrobe, director of communications at National Energy Action, has said vulnerable households will be hit the most by the TEQs as they are likely to require more heat in their properties.

She added: "It does not [seem] fair or equitable to adopt TEQs given that fuel-poor households may not have the opportunity of improving the energy efficiency of their home."

Ms Wardrobe noted that by not being able to afford energy-saving measures in their properties, the fuel poor could end up paying more for their heating oil.

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