Thursday 3rd July 2008

WEIR DEMANDS ACTION ON RURAL FUEL POVERTY LOOPHOLE
Rural Angus Badly Hit by Rise in Home Fuel Oil Costs

SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, has called for action to help consumers who rely on home fuel oil and propane gas for heating. Mr Weir has been campaigning for the UK Government to take action to include this market under the ambit of the regulator (Ofgem), and today (Thursday) raised the issue at Business and Enterprise Questions in the House of Commons.

Mr Weir said:

“There are huge numbers of people in rural Angus who rely on these methods of heating and an increasing number are coming under real financial pressure because of the massive hikes in costs. It is bad enough at the moment but will be even worse in winter.”

“When Ofgem held its recent poverty summit they talked only to the big six energy companies, and overlooked the plight of many people in rural Scotland who rely on home fuel oil and propane gas.

“These consumers appear to have fallen off the UK government’s radar despite the fact that prices have risen even faster than mains gas and electricity.

“There is simply no regulator looking out for consumers in this market, and action in urgently needed. The government could easily amend the current Energy Bill to plug this loophole.

“If this was done these consumers could benefit from anti-poverty measures such as social tariffs.

“Unfortunately, the Minister has failed to grasp the extent of the problem and consistently cites efforts to extend the gas mains to address the problem. There are very many communities who will never be connected to the mains because of the huge capital costs involved.

“Similarly, although micro generation can help, it remains expensive and out of the reach of many consumers, especially if they are already suffering fuel poverty. Action is required urgently.”