Baxi has pledged its full support for the Warmer Homes Report, published this month by Policy Exchange, which aims to encourage the next government to revamp the UK’s domestic energy efficiency policies and move 2.3 million households out of fuel poverty.
The report highlights how 2.3 million households in England alone remain in fuel poverty, with the problem affecting pensioners and working households alike. It claims that currently 1.1 million working households officially meet the definition for fuel poverty, while ten per cent of all households in England are fuel poor, rising to 19% among those living in private rented accommodation¹.
Policy Exchange is the latest organisation to urge ministers to make energy efficiency a National Infrastructure Priority, stating that some of the £100 billion infrastructure budget for the next five years should be allocated to energy efficiency schemes to help alleviate the issue.
Andrew Keating, UK marketing director at Baxi, said:
“We are fully behind this initiative to stamp out fuel poverty in the UK. With energy prices having reached an all-time high, rising by 75% in the period 2004-2013², this could not have come at a more appropriate time and is a move, which the whole industry should support.
“The government needs to acknowledge that fuel poverty is no longer limited to the elderly and vulnerable, and should pledge financial backing to help subsidise energy efficient products and solutions for those households in most need.
“With periods of colder weather predicted and uncertainty around energy costs, the issue of fuel poverty is only going to become more critical. We hope the government takes this campaign seriously and look forward to hearing what the outcome of the report will be.”
¹Business Green/Warmer Homes Report
²Baxi market report