Responsibility for tackling fuel poverty should be taken away from energy suppliers and handed to local authorities, campaigners have said.
With Government figures suggesting the number of households in England unable to afford to keep their houses warm in 2013 reached 2.35 million, Citizens Advice has called for programmes to help the fuel poor to be delivered by local authorities.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: ‘Today’s figures are a brutal reminder of the scale of fuel poverty. Millions of people can’t afford to keep their heating and lights on and this has a devastating impact.
‘This is the crucial time to make sure the market is working for all consumers and that those who are struggling are getting the necessary support.’
In its report, Closer to home, Citizens Advice says giving local councils responsibility and resources for improving fuel poor homes would be more effective than when run by suppliers. The report says diverting funding to councils would be more effective as they better understand the housing in their area and residents' circumstances.
A second report, Energy tariff options for consumers in vulnerable situations, commissioned from the Centre for Sustainable Energy, estimates that only 12% of the lowest income consumers are on the cheapest tariffs, while 70% of the highest earners are on the cheapest deals,
The charity and consumer advocate believes that introducing a a low-priced tariff which eligible customers would be transferred to automatically, could help those struggling to afford to pay their bills.
