Greg Clark has outlined plans to tackle fuel poverty by forcing energy companies to cut electricity and gas bills.
The Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary proposed tough new measures on prepayment meters and social tariffs to help people struggling as Labour’s recession hits home.
One in five families are living in fuel poverty, and our measures will help millions who are struggling to make ends meet:
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We will cut the fuel bills of the poorest households by making it illegal for energy companies to charge unfair price premiums on prepayment meters
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We will demand energy companies offer social tariffs to vulnerable households
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We will insist energy companies tell customers whether they are on the cheapest tariff – and if they are not, the company must tell them how to switch
Greg said, “With home energy prices at record highs, Britain’s poorest people face their toughest winter for years. Without immediate help, many will have to choose between staying warm and going into debt.”
And he slammed Labour for their lack of action in tackling the problem of fuel poverty:
“A month ago, the new Energy Secretary Ed Miliband in his very first statement to the House of Commons said that he would take urgent action within a month to make the energy companies help vulnerable customers. A month later there has been no change and no action. Time is running out – the Government must end its dithering and act immediately to save the poorest from their bleakest winter for many years.”