Fuel Poverty Q&A with Drew Hendry MP 2pm today. Share your experiences! 20 November 2015 at 2:56PM edited 25 November 2015 at 2:13PM in Energy 54 replies 6.6K views

Former_MSE_Andrea

Update Wednesday 25 November:

If you missed the debate you can still view it on Parliament TV. The debate starts around the 16.37 mark and MSE gets a mention around 16.45.

On Tuesday 24 November at 4.30pm MPs will be debating Fuel Poverty in Westminster Hall in the House of Commons.

You'll be able to watch the debate on Parliament TV.

The debate has been proposed by Drew Hendry MP.

Drew Hendry will be here on this forum thread 2-3pm Monday to discuss the debate with you, listen to your questions and experiences, and share some of them with the other MPs in Westminster Hall on Tuesday.

Join the Forum

Drew Hendry said:

Fuel poverty continues to grow in all of the nations of the UK and is set to reach record levels as further UK Government welfare cuts come into effect. Indeed it is estimated that already 2.3 million UK households can’t afford to keep their home adequately heated. It is unacceptable that families sitting are freezing in their own homes while unfair charges are pressed upon them. I am therefore pleased to have secured Tuesday's Westminster Hall debate on this extremely important issue. I am keen to hear the views of MoneySavingExpert members ahead of this debate.

Join in and help influence Parliament's work.

Related on MSE:

Cheap Energy Club
Turn2us Guest comment: Check if you're due financial support to help pay energy bills this winter
Energy News
Utilities Guides

UKParliament

Hi Everyone,

If you are interested in taking part in the fuel poverty discussion today, why not take a look at the debate pack produced by the House of Commons Library for the Westminster Hall debate

Fuel Poverty Debate Pack
Debate packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material.

DrewHendryMP

Good morning, I'm looking forward to taking part in this afternoon's forum ahead of tomorrow's Westminster Hall debate. Fuel poverty affects millions of families across the UK. I want to hear your story and thoughts on this very important issue. Best wishes, Drew.

Former_MSE_Andrea

Thanks Drew. Looking forward to hearing peoples' experiences on here to feed into tomorrow's debate.

Everyone, don't feel you have to wait until 2pm to share your story. Post now and Drew will look at them this afternoon

One-Eye

I believe that under the new definition of fuel poverty, someone in England with an income of £10,000 who should be spending £1200 on fuel to heat the home adequately is no longer in fuel poverty (due to fuel costs below median level). In Scotland, where the old definition is still used, they are in fuel poverty.

Say the person in Scotland is over 80 and receives £300 winter fuel allowance, then with income of £10,300 and bills of £1200 they are still in fuel poverty. If the winter fuel allowance was paid directly to the energy supplier, then income would be £10,000 and bills £900 thus taking them out of fuel poverty.

Who pays for your energy bills Drew?

PlymouthMaid

Good to acknowledge that fuel poverty does not only affect those on benefits. I spend around 1/10 of my income on electricity and gas but still cannot heat my house adequately.

Former_MSE_Andrea

The Q&A starts in 5 minutes. Keep the questions coming

DrewHendryMP

There are many people who are in fuel poverty well beyond both of those definitions. Of course, living in the Highlands many of us pay higher bills due to the climate.

DrewHendryMP

Hi Plymouth Maid, thank you for your message.
It is a real problem for many people and there are many reasons why high bills may cause problems . Can I suggest that you contact Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 they offer a free, impartial and confidential service and I would recommend them to you and others.

DrewHendryMP

One-Eye wrote: »

I believe that under the new definition of fuel poverty, someone in England with an income of £10,000 who should be spending £1200 on fuel to heat the home adequately is no longer in fuel poverty (due to fuel costs below median level). In Scotland, where the old definition is still used, they are in fuel poverty.

Say the person in Scotland is over 80 and receives £300 winter fuel allowance, then with income of £10,300 and bills of £1200 they are still in fuel poverty. If the winter fuel allowance was paid directly to the energy supplier, then income would be £10,000 and bills £900 thus taking them out of fuel poverty.
Who pays for your energy bills Drew?

There are many people who are in fuel poverty well beyond both of those definitions. Of course, living in the Highlands many of us pay higher bills due to the climate.

DrewHendryMP

PlymouthMaid wrote: »

Good to acknowledge that fuel poverty does not only affect those on benefits. I spend around 1/10 of my income on electricity and gas but still cannot heat my house adequately.

Hi Plymouth Maid, thank you for your message.
It is a real problem for many people and there are many reasons why high bills may cause problems . Can I suggest that you contact Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 they offer a free, impartial and confidential service and I would recommend them to you and others.