Hanson Repeats Commitment To Eradicating Fuel Poverty

4 July 2005
HANSON REPEATS COMMITMENT TO ERADICATING FUEL POVERTY
Social Development Minister David Hanson MP has made the eradication of fuel poverty one of his top priorities.
Speaking after the inaugural meeting of the Inter-Departmental Group on Fuel Poverty, the Minister said: "Fuel poverty impacts on housing, health, the environment, children’s educational attainment and social inclusion. People living in cold, damp homes are often forced to choose between food and warmth. This is why I have made the eradication of fuel poverty one of my top priorities."
The Minister pointed out that his Department has committed significant effort and resources to tackling fuel poverty. He said: "In November 2004, the Department for Social Development launched the Fuel Poverty Strategy which sets stringent targets for the eradication of fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010, and in non-vulnerable households by 2016. The Strategy is underpinned by a number of very significant Departmental programmes aimed at reducing fuel poverty, not least the Warm Homes Scheme.
"The budget for this scheme has increased significantly in recent times, from just over Ł3 million in 2001 to just under Ł12 million in the current financial year. This means that the target, in terms of the number of households which have been able to benefit annually from the measures under the scheme, has increased from 4250 in 2001 to 8250 in the current financial year."
He emphasised, however, that the Warm Homes Scheme is just one of a number of programmes which are aimed at addressing fuel poverty through the provision of improvements to property. Other programmes such as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s maintenance and improvements programmes and the private sector grants scheme, all include measures to address fuel poverty.
The Minister also drew attention to the impact of fuel poverty on elderly persons and measures being taken to address this, such as the winter fuel payment which has increased from Ł20 in 1997 to Ł200 in the current financial year with a budget of almost Ł50 million each year. He said while one cold-related winter death is one too many, care needs to be taken when interpreting the statistics which are available as many are now outdated. He indicated that he expects to see a reduction in the figures as the impact of the fuel poverty measures sponsored by the Department takes effect.
The Minister said that the fight against fuel poverty will be based on a public/private/voluntary sector partnership and that targets set will be carefully monitored by him. In this regard, the Inter-Departmental Working Group and the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group which was established as a result of the Fuel Poverty Strategy and which held its inaugural meeting last month will play a pivotal role.

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