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Our response to labour conference vote on windfall energy tax

The Labour conference today voted in favour of the issue of a windfall tax being sent to Labour's National Policy Forum for further consideration.

Gordon Lishman‚ Director General of Age Concern‚ said:

“This vote clearly shows the strength of feeling on this issue. Much more action needs to be taken by the Government to help those struggling to afford rapidly rising energy bills. The Government must recognise that its recent raft of measures are woefully inadequate to the needs of the poorest households and that more investment is needed by both it and energy firms to tackle fuel poverty.

“Energy efficiency measures alone will not solve the fuel poverty crisis and will be little comfort to millions of pensioners facing a bleak winter in fuel poverty. A new fuel poverty strategy and wider pricing reforms are desperately needed to prevent poorer households paying higher rates for their energy. The Government should also reconsider giving extra financial help to the poorest households this winter.”

ENDS

Age Concern’s key calls:

  • The Government’s fuel poverty strategy should be urgently revised‚ with new policies and measures announced as soon as possible.
  • As an urgent‚ short-term measure‚ energy companies should use the extra £50 million they have pledged to social assistance schemes this year to redeem fuel vouchers for pensioners over 70 who are entitled to Pension Credit.
  • Mandatory social tariffs for vulnerable households‚ which offer the lowest market rate‚ must be made compulsory.
  • A commitment to recycle the extra VAT revenue the Government is receiving from fuel price increases to fund measures to help those in fuel poverty.
  • The Warm Front programme should be urgently reviewed‚ with funding immediately increased by at least 25% and the maximum grant available under the scheme increased significantly.
  • The Winter Fuel Payment should be permanently increased to reflect unprecedented energy price increases in recent years.

The Government should use statutory powers to abolish unfair pre-payment meter premiums.

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