Caroline Flint MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, commenting on the Government’s fuel poverty strategy, said:

“A target to cut fuel poverty is only as good as the policies to deliver it. But this Government’s policies fall badly short and as a result fuel poverty is getting worse under David Cameron.

“To help people with their energy bills and tackle fuel poverty, the next Labour Government will undertake the biggest overhaul of our energy market since privatisation. Our plans will break up the big energy companies, create a tough new regulator with the power to force companies to cut their prices when wholesale costs fall and our forthcoming Green Paper on energy efficiency will set out a long-term programme to end the scandal of cold homes and people forced to choose between heating and eating. And until these reforms kick in, we will put a stop to unfair price rises by freezing energy bills until 2017, saving the average household £120.”