19/11/2003

NI fuel poverty 'appalling'

A new report released today has revealed that many areas across Northern Ireland suffer from "appalling" fuel poverty.

The study, by fuel poverty charity NEA Northern Ireland, revealed that there were 203,000 fuel poor households in Northern Ireland, as well as an average of 1,360 pensioner deaths every, because of cold weather.

The worst areas affected by fuel poverty detailed in the report included the Craigavon Council area, followed by Magherafelt, Ballymoney, Strabane and Limavady.

Commenting on the report, Majella McCloskey, Director of NEA Northern Ireland said: “This data shows that there are appalling pockets of fuel poverty across Northern Ireland. In the throes of this election, we call on elected representatives in these fuel poverty cold spots to take an election pledge to see the eradication of fuel poverty in their areas.”

Mrs McCloskey said the levels of fuel poverty resulted from the high cost of energy, limited choice of energy, lower income levels and well as low levels of energy efficiency.

“A fuel poverty strategy was published for consultation in early October," she said.

"NEA NI, the fuel poverty charity calls for an election commitment from each of the political parties to ensure that they will eradicate fuel poverty by 2016, and deliver the resources needed to meet this commitment.”

Today's figures were produced as part of a league of Northern Ireland’s cold spots, showing the levels of fuel poverty in each of the 26 council areas.

(MB)

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