Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 29 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 December 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Monday, 13 December 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate her Department has made of the likely change in the number of households in fuel poverty as a result of increased fuel prices. - Inc figures and fact that assumptions behind estimate are set out in DTI publications available to view at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/consumers/fuel_poverty/index.shtml.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the likely change in the number of households in fuel poverty as a result of increased fuel prices. [201645] Mr. Mike O'Brien: Our analysis of the effects of increased fuel price rises suggests that fuel poverty is likely to rise by a limited amount in 2004 and 2005 (perhaps by up to 200,000 vulnerable households in England. However any potential increase in the numbers needs to be set against the very real progress that has been made: the number of households in fuel poverty in the UK has fallen by over 3 million since 1996, to 2.25 million in 2002 and further reductions are expected for 2003. The effects of the recent price increases will also be countered by other measures that we have put in place on incomes and benefits. The assumptions behind this estimate are set out in two DTI publications which accompanied publication of the "Fuel Poverty in England: The Government's Plan for Action" on 30 November. These internet publications are available to view at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/ consumers/fuel poverty/index.shtml. The Government remain committed to achieving their target of seeking an end to the problem of fuel poverty in England in vulnerable households by 2010 as far as is reasonably possible.

Secondary information