MP CALLS FOR ACTION ON RURAL FUEL POVERTY

RURAL RESIDENTS HARDEST HIT BY HIGH ENERGY COSTS

Angus MP Mike Weir has backed calls for greater action to tackle the problem of fuel poverty in rural areas. Mr Weir spoke out after hearing a presentation from Energywatch at the Westminster All Party Group on Rural Services.

Mr Weir has consistently pursued action on fuel poverty and highlighted the concerns of residents in rural areas like Angus. He said that the latest information on rural areas was very worrying.

“Recent research by the National Consumer Council found that almost four million UK households struggle to heat their homes adequately, twice as many as in 2003. Rural areas are often the hardest hit, often due to the type of heating systems used in rural homes.”

“The recently published Energy White Paper gives an opportunity to face up to these issues. The government needs to take proper account of the true cost of fuel in rural areas because of factors such as dependence on deliveries, no access to mains gas and therefore a higher need for propane and fuel oil, the higher cost of petrol in the few remaining independent garages and the greater distances of travel. “

“It has been estimated that by installing alternative fuel systems into “off gas” rural areas approximately 200,000 rural households could be lifted out of fuel poverty.”

“More must also be done to improve the energy efficiency of rural homes as using less energy in the first place is also the key to reducing carbon emissions. The Energy White Paper recognised the need to do so and rural areas like Angus would be an excellent place to start and make a real difference.”