New analysis from Medway Labour reveals a staggering 15,000 families are now in fuel poverty. The average fuel poverty gap – the reduction in fuel costs needed for a household to not be in fuel poverty – across the region is £263.
The news comes as Labour calls on the Chancellor to bring in a proper windfall tax on energy giants to fund a package of support for energy bills including new measures to pass on savings to households immediately, such as stopping the energy price cap going up from April.
Labour leader, Keir Starmer has set out his 5 Missions for a Better Britain – including securing the highest sustained growth in the G7 – with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.
Publishing the figures, Leader of the Medway Labour and Co-operative Group Cllr Vince Maple said:
“Too many families in Medway are struggling to make ends meet – the last thing they need is an energy price hike this April. That’s why Labour is calling on ministers to bring in a proper windfall tax on the bumper profits of energy giants to fund support for bill payers and stop the cap from rising.
“But we have got to do much more to get this country moving again. That’s why Keir Starmer has set out his 5 missions to build a better Britain – including securing the highest sustained growth in the G7, to help families in places like Medway feel better off.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The latest fuel poverty figures are published here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1139133/annual-fuel-poverty-statistics-lilee-report-2023-2022-data.pdf
In the South East, 13% of households are in fuel poverty – with an average fuel poverty gap of £263.
That’s the equivalent of 15,000 households in Medway
Labour would be bringing in a proper one-off windfall tax on energy giants – something which the government still fail to do – and spending that on a package of support for energy bills including:
A new measure to pass on savings to households immediately, by stopping the energy price cap going up from April. Right now, government plans expose households to a major new spike in prices in April.
A new “insulation jump start” – a pot of funding that the government could use right now to supercharge home insulation across the country, saving families hundreds off their bills.
Ending the scandalous penalty imposed on prepayment meter customers, ensuring customers do not pay more than those paying by direct debit, alongside a 3 month moratorium on the forced installation of pre-payment meters.
Labour’s 5 Missions for a Better Britain:
· Secure the highest sustained growth in the G7
· Make Britain a clean energy superpower
· Build an NHS fit for the future
· Make Britain’s streets safe
· Break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage