New initiative tackles fuel poverty

30 May 2008

The government has unveiled new plans to combat fuel poverty in light of record oil price rises this year.

Oil prices have doubled over the past year and concerns have been raised about the ability of the elderly and vulnerable people to pay their fuel bills.

According to regulator Ofgem, the new measures, which will allow for greater data sharing to identify people in fuel poverty, should help to alleviate the pressure that has been put on many people on low incomes due to increased energy prices.

Experts are predicting that further steep rises in the price of oil will take place this year unless action is taken to increase production and combat the problem.

Oil producers' cartel Opec has stated that it has no plans to raise production before its September meeting and protests have been held in both the UK and mainland Europe against price rises.

Campaigners want more done to help the 2.5 million households that are currently in fuel poverty, the BBC reports. Home heating oil customers are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing cost of their fuel bills.