The Green Party has called for the Government to launch a nationwide roll out of home insulation after a report published today showed the proportion of people living in fuel poverty went up in 2016.
The report, from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, showed the proportion of people living in fuel poverty went up between 2014 and 2016. [1]
It also showed the poorest in Britain to be worst effected, with the median income of those who are “fuel poor” at £10,325, compared to £24,050 for those who are “non-fuel poor”. [2]
Amelia Womack, deputy leader of the Green Party, said:
“Being able to heat your home should be a basic human right. Yet these figures show the proportion of people in Britain facing fuel poverty went up between 2014 and 2016 – with the poorest hit hardest. We know that fuel poverty not only has a detrimental effect on health, but it increases the risk of mental health problems and impacts children’s education.
“No one should have to choose between putting food on the table or heating their home, and it is outrageous that despite knowing people are living with these choices the Government hasn’t done anything to address the issue.
“The Government must urgently launch a national scheme of home insulation to ensure everyone is able to heat their home, as well as supporting community solar schemes to make energy more affordable. These measures should be backed up by a genuine living wage which gives people what they really need to survive in Britain today.” [3]
Notes: