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Predictions of fuel poverty growth in Wales ‘spine-chilling’ says Lib Dem leader

23 Feb 2022 3 minute read
Jane Dodds. Photo Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds has described the findings of a new report into  spiralling fuel poverty in Wales as “truly spine-chilling.

The charity National Energy Action Cymru is warning that over 280,000 households will be “devastated” by a £100 million increase in energy bills which they say could “even cause premature deaths” and is calling for a new mandatory social tariff to help make energy more affordable for low-income households.

Last week the UK’s energy sector regulator, Ofgem, confirmed that its price cap would be raised by 54% in April, an eyewatering as well as record-breaking increase.

The average household’s annual energy bill is currently between £1,277 and £1,370.

The increase in the price cap means many households could see their energy bills rise by around £700 a year, with some parts of Wales, including Ceredigion (£972), Gwynedd (£904), Carmarthenshire (£853) and Powys (£848), set to be the hardest hit in the UK.

Poverty levels

In response to the charity’s projections, Ms Dodds, Senedd Member for the rural region of Mid & West Wales said: “These predictions are truly spine-chilling. I represent a region that already has extremely high energy poverty levels. As of pre-pandemic statistics Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Powys already had energy poverty levels of 23%, 21% and 17% respectively. These were well above the Welsh average of 12% at the time.

“Given the rapid rises in energy costs, which are affecting rural areas like Ceredigion the most it is highly likely energy poverty in my region has now reached endemic levels. This could get worst given the ongoing tensions with Russia pushing up global oil and gas prices yet again.

“This not only places a massive burden on the finances of my constituents, forcing many to choose between heating and eating, but also places a huge burden on their mental health and physical health.

“We know that some 10 per cent of excess winter deaths in the UK are directly attributable to fuel poverty and 21.5 per cent of excess winter deaths are attributable to the coldest 25 per cent of homes.

“While I appreciate the Welsh Government has stepped up support, I would urge them to look into providing additional support to those worst affected.

“I also continue to call on the UK Conservative Government to double and expand the Warm Home Discount Scheme and double the Winter Fuel Payments to protect vulnerable people this winter, funded by a one-off ‘Robin Hood Tax’ on the record profits of global oil and gas companies.”


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GW Atkinson
GW Atkinson
2 years ago

Surely now is the time to nationalise our natural resources instead of letting others take money out of our country for their own benefit.

Quornby
Quornby
2 years ago

Regretably the Lib Dems are a party for sale, whatever they say now. Remember Clegg? Unionist to a man of course, happy to watch the continuing humiliation of our nation in case there’s an OBE (and £300 a day) on the cards.

I.Humphrys
I.Humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Quornby

Ain’t ee in charge ‘o fakebook dees daze? Soon to be renamed two-faced book.

G Horton-Jones
G Horton-Jones
2 years ago

Jane

Get a grip and cross the floor to Plaid/Labour if you care one iota for the people of Wales

I.Humphrys
I.Humphrys
2 years ago

Cymru should go all electric long term? But it has to be said, sanctions will rebound badly on Europe for the foreseeable future. We must get Indy asap!

Malcolmrj
Malcolmrj
2 years ago

Siting on coal and surounded by gas and oil and people being made to struggle to put food on the table and keep your family warm this country is being run by totaly indifferent idiots

Philip Jones
Philip Jones
2 years ago

Not just energy costs. Just had Dwr Cymru bill for next year’s monthly payments – up over 10 percent. Are wages and pensions rising by 10 percent? Are they hell.

Malcolmrj
Malcolmrj
2 years ago
Reply to  Philip Jones

The English must be made to pay for the water that they take from Wales it’s our resources that they have taken for over one hundred years wake up Wales we must have independence

Cardi ceiniog
Cardi ceiniog
2 years ago
Reply to  Malcolmrj

Welsh water is flooding England. Keep your water dam the Hafren.

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