Watchdog urges green package to help people comparing energy companies - 16/04/2009
Homeowners deciding whether to switch gas and electricity companies could be helped by a so-called 'green recovery' package being proposed by Consumer Focus.
The energy industry watchdog has called on chancellor Alistair Darling to include a series of measures in his upcoming Budget to hasten the spread of energy efficiency throughout the UK and to alleviate fuel poverty.
Proposed measures include targeting energy efficiency schemes at the poorest homes and ensuring energy is fairly priced, variations of which were put forward in a fuel poverty bill which failed to get through parliament a few weeks ago.
Philip Cullum, deputy chief executive of Consumer Focus, said: "Putting these measures at the heart of the Budget's promised green recovery package would tackle fuel poverty, improve the environment and create tens of thousands of jobs."
The organisation said that the government stands little chance of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016 - the current target - unless major steps are taken.
Government plans involve insulating every home in the UK within the next few years.
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