Thousands in fuel poverty - shock report (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Thousands in fuel poverty - shock report

6:33pm Tuesday 3rd March 2009 in Search By David Hemming

SHOCK figures have revealed thousands of people in the Bridgwater area are choosing heating over eating.

Campaign group Consumer Focus says the Bridgwater constituency is one of the worst affected in the South-West, with more than 7,500 households living in fuel poverty.

LibDem parliamentary candidate for Bridgwater Theo Butt Phillip said: “These new estimates are truly shocking.

“The situation in Bridgwater is worse than in any other part of Somerset.”

The Citizens Advice Bureau has also conducted research showing around four in ten clients in the UK are living in fuel poverty - a trend mirrored in Sedgemoor.

Kevin Chorley from Bridgwater Citizen's Advice Bureau says he has been overwhelmed by people struggling to cope with mounting bills.

He said: “The volume of people in need of debt advice is phenomenal and shows the scale of the problem.”

Consumer Focus is now urging MPs to support the Fuel Poverty Bill when it goes before parliament on March 20.

The Bill aims to lower carbon emissions and reduce home energy bills by up to 70%, but Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said it would not change anything.

He said people needed to be given better education on how to cut back on energy costs.

He said: “We haven't created a stable energy policy and that is why Hinkley Point has a vital role to play in helping lower energy use.”

Have you been affected by energy costs? Contact our newsroom on 01278-727960 or e-mail newsdesk@bridgwatermercury.co.uk