Ahead of National Energy Action's Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has spoken of the urgent need in Wales to upgrade fuel-poor homes.
Speaking in today's Business Statement, Mr Isherwood, who is Chair of the Senedd Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency, highlighted the alarming number of households living in fuel poverty in Wales and said, with energy prices set to stay high action is needed.
Calling for a Welsh Government Statement on the situation, he said:
"Tomorrow is National Energy Action's Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, and I’ll be Chairing a meeting of the Cross-Party Group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency.
"It’s estimated that a quarter of households in Wales are living in fuel poverty, including more than four in five lower income households. New polling published by National Energy Action Cymru found that six in 10 adults in Wales are likely to ration their energy in the coming three months - higher for those with asthma or a mental health condition.
"With energy prices set to stay high, many are left struggling, rationing their heating and burdened by overwhelming levels of energy debt. There is an urgent need in Wales to upgrade fuel-poor homes.
"The UK Government must deliver its Warm Homes plan in full, and whoever forms the next Welsh Government should invest the full consequential to help cut bills, tackle fuel poverty and deliver energy efficiency. I call for a Statement accordingly."
In her response, the Trefnydd, Jane Hutt MS, said:
"I am sure the National Energy Action event will be very important as we work together in terms of tackling fuel poverty. Of course, the cost of energy does remain stubbornly high, with energy suppliers clearly having to take responsibility to support their customers with fair and affordable payment plans and emergency support where required."
