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News Release from: Federation of Master Builders (FMB) | Subject: Fuel poverty
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 January 2008
Federation of Master Builders on fuel
poverty
Government must tackle Britain's growing fuel poverty, demands the Federation of Master Builders.
Npower's decision to increase electricity prices by 12.7% and gas bills by 17.2% will mean thousands more pensioners and those living on low incomes will fall into fuel poverty unless the Government acts now to help make Britain's homes more energy efficient Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs, at the FMB says, "The number of people living in fuel poverty in this country has doubled since 2004 and the increase in energy prices will only makes matters worse"
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 13 Dec 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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"The Government cannot sit by and let the most vulnerable people in society suffer any more".
"We know that even before the recent hike in energy bills a staggering 1.25 million pensioner households live in fuel poverty and that 22% of older people living in fuel poverty go without gas or electricity in order to make ends meet".
"More worrying is the fact that last year 25,000 people over the age of 65 died of cold related illnesses".
Berry continues, "The Government could stop this desperate situation from getting even worse if it cut VAT on all energy efficient home improvements from 17.5% to 5%".
"This simple cut would enable thousands of families to upgrade their homes to make them more energy efficient and enjoy a warmer winter".
"The truth is that the current high rate of VAT on building repair work prevents people, particularly those on low-incomes, from maintaining their homes".
"In many instances, this results in people living in misery because they cannot afford to have basic repairs or central heating installed".
Berry concluded, "How much higher do fuel bills have to rise before the Government will wake up and cut VAT on measures to make our homes warmer?.
The simple fact is that winter is setting in and the number of people living in fuel poverty is increasing and they need action now.".
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