'Urgent action' needed to reduce fuel poverty - 30/09/2011
With one of the Big Six energy suppliers' price hikes coming into effect tomorrow (October 1st), householders may be wondering how to secure cheap energy tariffs.
Public sector union Unison has called for "urgent action" to prevent millions of people being stuck in fuel poverty, ahead of npower's price rise of 15.7 per cent for gas and 7.2 per cent for electricity customers.
The union's head of business and environment, Mike Jeram, commented: "Npower is pushing up prices at the same time as inflation hits new highs and the government's cuts run deep. As public sector workers see their pay frozen, price rises will have a huge impact on household budgets."
And it is not just public sector employees that will feel the effects of higher gas and electricity prices, as those on low incomes or who do not have jobs will also suffer.
"The existing market does not work in the public interest. The energy industry must stop pushing ahead with profits in mind, while throwing people into fuel poverty. We must protect people from unsustainable prices," Mr Jeram added.
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