Fuel poverty summit branded a disaster

One of Britain's biggest charities has condemned today's energy industry summit as a "disaster" for the 4.5m households who now find themselves living in fuel poverty.

Mervyn Kohler, special adviser for Help the Aged, described the lack of concrete measures to come out of the summit as a slap in the face to the poorest consumers who are now forced to spend at least 10% of their income to heat and light their home.

Seven government ministers and representatives from each of the big power companies attended the summit, which was called by industry regulator Ofgem to discuss what the large suppliers could do to halt the dramatic rise in the number of households - particularly the elderly - struggling to pay their energy bills.

The summit finished without any proposals but Ofgem said it would publish an action plan next month.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/23/oil.consumeraffairs

might help to keep poor people from starving and help other's stay above the margin.. I know, it'll never happen as long as politicians keep both hands in two diff. cookie jars.. and know that the corporate cookie jar is often the most delicious cookie.

should be available. AND some of these items need to change their materials and methods, i.e. energy. I'm not much of an economy buff.. but it should be something equalizing, but fair as well.