Lower Energy Costs Key To Tackling Fuel Poverty

LOWER ENERGY COSTS KEY TO TACKLING FUEL POVERTY Welcoming consultation on the Scottish Executive's Fuel Poverty Statement, Ofgem's Managing Director for Scotland, Charles Coulthard said: "Energy costs are one of the three main causes of fuel poverty alongside low income and poor housing. The biggest contribution Ofgem can make to fuel poverty is by ensuring energy prices are as competitive as possible. "Competition in the Scottish gas and electricity supply market has put real pressure on domestic and business customers' prices which have fallen substantially since privatisation. Customers now have a good choice of suppliers. "But reform to the Scottish electricity generation market is vital to ensure that Scottish customers get the full value of Scotland's huge generating resources through even lower electricity prices. Ofgem is committed to achieving these reforms through its programme to create British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements (BETTA). These reforms are supported by Scottish customers, businesses and the Scottish Executive. They require primary legislation to bring the reforms into effect. "As well as working to ensure prices are as competitive as possible, Ofgem also takes specific measures under its Social Action Plan to help vulnerable customers. These include requiring suppliers to make available special services for elderly, sick and vulnerable customers, give energy efficiency advice and advice to customers on pre-payment meters. "Ofgem looks forward to contributing to the development of the Scottish Executive's Strategy." Notes to editors 1. Ofgem recently announced proposals to help 30,000 customers in the north of Scotland switch their supplier more easily, some for the first time. 2. "The Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement: Consultative Statement" was published yesterday and can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/housing/sfps-00.asp 3. Ofgem is the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets, regulating the gas and electricity industries in Great Britain. Ofgem's aim is to bring choice and value to all gas and electricity customers by promoting competition and regulating monopolies. Ofgem is governed by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority. Its powers are provided for under the Gas Act 1986, the Electricity Act 1989 and the Utilities Act 2000. For further press information contact: Richard Hunt on 020 7901 7158 Danny Wilkinson on 020 7901 7022 Rob Jones on 020 7901 7484 Out of hours contact: 0781 8457 969 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/03/12/20020312BIT01070/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/03/12/20020312BIT01070/wkr0002.pdf