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Welsh households 'in fuel poverty'

19 December 2007

One in five households in Wales live in fuel poverty, according to Daily Post writer Rob Irvine.

He claims that with gas bills rising by around 46 per cent since 2001, these households are now spending more than ten per cent of their income on utility bills, with the cost increases felt most severely in rural areas.

Mr Irvine also opined that winter fuel payments provided for pensioners - valued up to £200, with some totalling £300 for the over-80s - are not increasing at the same rate as the rising costs of heating oil and bottled gas.

He has called for a greater extension of the winter fuel payments scheme, increased payments provided to Welsh pensioners and the improvement of both the flexibility and responsiveness of the current system.

Earlier this week, NewsWales reported that Welsh first minister Rhodri Morgan pledged the country's commitment to sustainable development in the field of renewable energy - particularly in the areas of wind, water and wood-fuelled energy generation.

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