Bridgwater suffering badly from energy suppliers' price rises - 04/03/2009
Over 7,500 households in Bridgwater in Somerset are in fuel poverty due to a lack of cheap energy rates, making it one of the worst-affected constituencies in the south-west.
The Bridgwater Mercury reports the figures from Consumer Focus are backed up by the Citizens' Advice Bureau, which reports that its Bridgwater office has experienced a surge in the number of people seeking debt advice and help with their bills.
MPs are being called upon to support the upcoming Fuel Poverty Bill which proposes to alleviate fuel poverty through energy efficiency, but Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said he believes education will be a more potent measure.
Mr Liddell-Grainger told the paper: "We haven't created a stable energy policy and that is why Hinkley Point has a vital role to play in helping lower energy use."
Energy prices soared throughout 2008 with supplier blaming increases in the wholesale market, but most of the major energy companies have now announced small decreases.
Suppliers have been criticised recently for failing to lower prices during the freezing winter months.
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