Fuel boost

Published 24 Feb 2010 12:00

A WELCOME boost was received last month for those campaigning against fuel poverty.

West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) voted unanimously to support the main demand of the Campaign 250 group - to agree an extension of the £250 National Winter Fuel Allowance to everyone under 60 who is on low pay or benefits.

This is currently only available to senior citizens.

Campaign 250 is delighted with this decision for common sense, and is looking forward to meeting representatives of the council to assist us in taking the campaign forward.

The council will also write to John McFall MP asking him to raise the motion in Parliament.

We have just been through the coldest winter since records began in 1914, according to Met Office statistics, and millions will be dreading the gas and electricity bills when they pop through the letterbox.

An energy helpline is receiving more than 400 calls a day from folk worried about their bills - 7,000 have phoned in the last three weeks.

Meanwhile, Ofgem, the energy regulator, has just announced that gas and electricity prices will be huge in the next few years, warning that low-income households will be unable to afford the increases.

Unless the massive profits made by the big fuel companies are challenged, fuel poverty will continue to cause misery for millions every winter, and that is unacceptable in an oil rich country.

Ann Lynch, secretary, Campaign 250, Clydebank

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This letter appeared in Clydebank Post 24 Feb 10

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