End Fuel Poverty Coalition Budget reaction
Simon Francis, Co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:
“The Chancellor has now condemned 7 million households to suffer in fuel poverty this winter. The rise in the energy price cap from April next year could see this figure increase to 8.6 million households.
“We are already seeing the horrific impact of living in cold damp homes on children, the elderly, disabled and those with illnesses ranging from cancer to asthma. Even with the additional funding pledged to the NHS and social care system today, we are deeply concerned that it will be overwhelmed by the energy bills crisis and millions will suffer.
“The Chancellor could have raised all the money required to save the public from fuel poverty this winter through a more comprehensive Windfall Tax. Instead, he has chosen to protect the profits of oil and gas firms over protecting people’s lives.”
A formal announcement will come later today that the End Fuel Poverty Coalition will be joining forces with others in the Warm This Winter campaign to call for a day of action on 3 December to protest the lack of UK Government support for those in fuel poverty. This is the first time the Coalition has taken such a step and the website is already available with more information: https://www.
