What we are doing now

Energy Review

The National Right to Fuel Campaign is concerned that the public debate on energy supply and electricity generation will take the focus off the urgent need to improve initiatives by this Government to meet its targets for the eradication of fuel poverty.

With prices rising in double digit percentages and the impact of climate change increasing extremes of weather, colder winter temperatures and higher temperatures in summer, households in fuel poverty will suffer more than average households. They will be unable to afford the costs of their fuel needs, in colder winters and hotter summers, with consequent health problems.

In any strategy to combat climate change, and reduce CO2 emissions, it is important that social equity is maintained as a key principle in any future amendments in the Energy Strategy.

In a recent parliament exchange, Malcolm Wicks, Energy Minister, responded to a question by Mr. Drew MP asking what estimate he has made of how many people fall into fuel poverty for each percentage point increase in energy prices. The Minister responded that, for each percentage point real increase across energy prices, a further 40,000 vulnerable households would become fuel poor in England, with a proportionate increase in the devolved administrations. He added that work on the best ways to tackle fuel poverty in the light of rising energy prices is being taken forward in the context of the energy review.

Click here for the NRFC Response.

Ofgem Licence Review
All suppliers have to abide by SLCs as a condition of their right to supply. SLCs provide important protection for consumers, particularly those on low incomes. The review forms part of the Government's 'Better regulation' agenda, which aims to reduce 'red tape', encourage competitiveness and let leash the 'power of market forces'.

The National Right to Fuel Campaign will be responding to ensure that a review designed to reduce rules that protect consumers will continue to protect consumers, especially those who are vulnerable or on low incomes.

The Campaign’s concern is that this issue exposes a contradiction at the heart of Government policy on utility regulation and highlighted by the 2000 Utility Act. Under the Act, Ofgem’s primary duty is to protect the interests of consumers. However, the Act also equates consumer interest as best served through a fully competitive market, despite all the evidence that people on low incomes often lose out under 'free markets'.

Click here for the NRFC Response.