Commenting on the Government’s Green Homes‚ Warmer Homes home energy strategy published today‚ Michelle Mitchell‚ Age Concern and Help the Aged Charity Director‚ said:

“The Government’s strategy is a useful attempt to translate its aspirations for domestic energy efficiency into a more concrete programme of action‚ but the issue of 4.6 million fuel-poor households in England seems to have slipped down the agenda.

“While the measures set out in the report will potentially benefit many households‚ more help is needed for millions of older people in fuel poverty who have no slack left in their budgets to pay for energy efficiency improvements.

“Ahead of the election‚ we are calling on all political parties to commit to tackle fuel poverty by scaling up energy efficiency programmes and introducing a new system of mandatory social tariffs.”