UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is today calling on the Government to take urgent action to tackle fuel poverty. The call comes as Centrica becomes the latest in a string of energy companies to announce a rise in gas and electricity prices, just as winter is drawing closer.
The union wants the Government to introduce an emergency package of energy efficiency measures designed to cut bills, create jobs and help struggling families out of fuel poverty.
Mike Jeram, UNISON Head of Business and Environment, said:
“It will be a long, cold winter for many pensioners, the unemployed and for low paid workers and their families.
“Just days ago we learnt that the cost of fruit and vegetables have gone up by a massive 50% in the last year. Any increase in energy prices is likely to tip more families into debt and into the hands of unscrupulous pay-day loan companies.
“Public service workers have seen their pay frozen for nearly three years and the rising cost of gas and electricity will bring misery to millions.”
“This is a crisis in the making and the Government needs to tackle fuel poverty head-on or we will see the number of deaths from cold rising over the winter.”
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