Energy summit
Published on 17 October 2011 12:30 PM
Age Cymru has welcomed the energy summit being held by the UK Government at which the UK's six largest energy companies have been invited to meet Ofgem and consumer groups.
Our director of Influencing and Programme Development, Victoria Lloyd says:
"We hope today's meeting will lead to clear and assertive action to address fuel poverty.
"Fuel poverty already affects 320,000 households in Wales, those who need to spend 10 per cent or more of their income on fuel in order to maintain adequate heating.
"One of the key factors that influence whether someone will be living in fuel poverty is the cost of energy and the affordability of energy requires particular attention following rapid increases in fuel costs and several cold winters in a row.
"The UK Government must establish whether customers are paying a fair price for gas and electricity, as under the present pricing regime energy companies appear to pass on price rises much quicker than they cut bills when the wholesale cost of fuel goes down.
"Age Cymru also wants to see an end to price inequalities that penalise the poorest consumers who tend to use pre-payment meters or pay by cash or cheque."