BORDERS MP CHALLENGES MINISTER OVER FUEL POVERTY AT SCOTTISH QUESTIONS

1.43.17pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Apr 2008

Borders MP Michael Moore used his first Scottish Questions as Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State to challenge the Government over the rising scourge of fuel poverty.

His challenge came on the same day that the gas and electricity regulator, Ofgem, called a fuel poverty summit to discuss rising energy prices. More than 4 million people in the UK are now living in fuel poverty, defined as having to spend more than 10 percent of household income on energy bills.

Mr Moore challenged the Scottish Minister, David Cairns MP, over the impact of the massive increase of fuel prices on rural areas. He criticised the Government's abolition of the 10p rate of tax and challenged the Minister over how this decision is likely to impact upon those already living in fuel poverty.

Speaking after Scottish Questions, Mr Moore said:

"The Government must put fuel poverty at the top of its priorities. Today's summit is not an adequate substitute for the urgent action that needs to be taken to help low income households make ends meet in the face of rising fuel bills.

"Ministers should force energy companies to target their so-called social tariffs, in other words their lowest prices, to the most vulnerable households. And Ministers also need to remember that many households in rural areas, particularly in the Borders, rely on oil-fired heating. There has been precious little mention of the difficulties that these households are facing. The cost of filling the oil tank has shot up in recent months, and looks set to increase further with predictions that the cost of oil will rise above $120 per barrel by the summer.

"While rising oil prices is a global phenomenon, responsibility for taking action to lessen the burden lies firmly at the door of the Government. Their response to date has been wholly inadequate. They are letting down hard-working households in the Borders who are taking a hit in the pocket every which way they turn, be it with fuel prices, food prices or the abolition of the 10p rate of tax."