[UK] Chancellor warned of 'fuel poor'

from The BBC

Chancellor Gordon Brown is being urged to protect people from high fuel bills ahead of his 2006 Budget announcement.

The UK Government and the Scottish Executive have introduced a number of measures to combat fuel poverty.

But campaign groups, including Energy Action Scotland, said fuel bill rises over the last three years had slammed these commitments into reverse.

They predict that half a million households could be affected by the end of the year, double the 2003 figure.

Households are said to be suffering fuel poverty when more than 10% of their income goes on heating bills.

The executive aims to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016 and it has been working with energy companies to protect the most vulnerable groups.

However, campaigners - who also include Citizens Advice and the Children in Scotland agency - said the government must do more to boost the incomes of poorer households.