In response to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s spring statement, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has said the continuing support for energy bills is a relief to many worried about slipping further into fuel poverty.
Kevin Wellman, Chief Executive Officer at the CIPHE commented:
“By the government’s own figures, almost 2.5 million households in England fell into fuel poverty in the last twelve months. This was never the time to further increase energy bills, so maintaining the energy price guarantee at current levels for a further three months is welcome. However, this month still sees the end of the one-off winter support payment and, with no progress in bringing the number of households to a minimum energy efficiency rating of C having been made, more is needed. There must be a greater focus on comprehensive and sustainable solutions addressing root causes of fuel poverty to ensure that everyone has access to affordable and safe energy."
“As an educational charity dedicated to how the plumbing and heating industry protects consumers, including the most vulnerable people in society, we are pleased to see that the prepayment meter penalty will be removed from four million households. This is a positive step, but our main concern remains for those who continue to face the very real, and terrible threat of being unable to heat their homes. With energy costs forecast to fall, it is vital that any withdrawal of future support is targeted so as not to adversely affect people who still need assistance, such as those on low incomes, or those living with health and age concerns.”
Find out more at CIPHE.org.uk.