Letter published in the Wimbledon Guardian, 21 August 2008

"Like me, I'm sure many people were shocked by the massive increases in gas and electricity prices. Average bills are now well above £1000 per year. Is the Labour's target of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016 credible any more, or even meaningful?

Energy firms received a multi-billion pound windfall thanks to the giveaway of free permits to emit carbon dioxide under the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme. Estimates have put the proceeds of that windfall at £9bn, although a recent letter from Ofgem to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg estimates the true figure could be even higher. The Liberal Democrats believe that this windfall should be used by energy companies to protect the most vulnerable people from the effects of fuel poverty (full details of Lib Dem proposals to tackle fuel poverty can be seen on www.libdems.org.uk).

There are also things people can do to save money on energy bills themselves. Several easy ways to cut the cost of these bills are listed on the Council's website at http://www.merton.gov.uk/energy#25_top_tips. Also, the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (0800 512012) can give general advice on energy saving, the availability of grants, local suppliers and installers of energy saving equipment.

If action is not taken now, then many families are going to face an increasingly tough time paying their bills this winter."

Anthony Fairclough
Merton Liberal Democrats
www.mertonlibdems.org.uk