The Socialist 3 June 2008

Don't just get angry - get active

New Labour's failures: Don't just get angry, get Active

Editorial: Target 'ecological' taxes at the biggest polluters

Heathrow protest: Demonstrating against a third airport runway

Cosmetic measures against fuel poverty

Belfast Airport workers: The long battle for justice

Come to the national shop stewards network conference

National Shop Stewards Network second conference advert

Union members reject pay insult

Don't deport AmDani Juna

Keep our NHS public

Nottingham: Student protests at arrests

Engels: A Revolutionary Life

Youth against racism

London Youth Against Racism activity

National demo against racist BNP

Students step-up struggle

Berlin: 8,000 school students strike

Markets cannot end house building crisis

Nationalise Bradford & Bingley

Nuclear power: An expensive and dangerous failure

The beautiful game, with beautiful profits for some

Lebanon - civil war or rule by sectarian landlords

Israel: Olmert will go, but the political crisis will stick

Previous issues, etc

Print this issue




Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/536/4181

Google search the site	Printable version	email to friend

Home | The Socialist 3 June 2008 | Join the Socialist Party

Subscribe | Donate | Bookshop

Cosmetic measures against fuel poverty

THE GOVERNMENT'S plan, announced last week, to tackle fuel poverty doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

Some 2.5 million households are in fuel poverty - defined as those paying 10% or more of their income on fuel bills. Under the plan, the government will hand over personal details of low-income families to energy supply companies to provide tariff advice.

Apart from the worrying issue of data protection, these plans will not address the unfairness of those on low incomes typically having to pay around £140 a year more using pre-paid meters, compared to those paying quarterly bills or by direct debit.

Also, how can people without a bank account switch to a cheaper tariff? And even if low-income customers do have a bank account, will they have sufficient funds in them to cover a quarterly or direct debit payment?

Help the Aged charity described the proposals as a "sticking plaster to hold back a catastrophe".

The government's announcement comes at a time when gas and electricity supply companies have been hiking up fuel prices and making billions in super-profits. These companies have also made a whacking £9 billion from the Emissions Trading Scheme, designed to curb greenhouse gases.

So will Gordon Brown impose a windfall tax? Unlikely. Better still, will Labour renationalise the utilities giants to provide low cost energy? Not a chance!