Age Concern: Conservative fuel poverty proposals

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said: "Strong and decisive action is needed to tackle the fuel poverty crisis, in order to help the poorest pensioners and families who are struggling to afford to heat their homes.

"We welcome the fact the Conservative party are taking a lead on fuel poverty - these welcome proposals address some of the key changes needed to remedy energy pricing inequalities. If these changes can be brought in through legislation they could help many of the poorest households currently in fuel poverty.

"However, the devil is in the detail. Robust measures, including data-sharing through a trusted third party, would need to be planned and implemented to make discounted social tariffs a reality for the 5.4 million vulnerable households living in fuel poverty."