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Million more suffer fuel poverty Million more suffer fuel poverty
(10 minutes later)
The number of households in fuel poverty rose to 3.5 million in 2006, government figures show.The number of households in fuel poverty rose to 3.5 million in 2006, government figures show.
This is an increase of one million on 2005 levels.This is an increase of one million on 2005 levels.
The figure includes around 2.75 million homes classed as "vulnerable" -containing a child, elderly person or someone with a long-term illness.The figure includes around 2.75 million homes classed as "vulnerable" -containing a child, elderly person or someone with a long-term illness.
The figures, released by the Department for Environment and the Department for Business, show the households who spend more than 10% of their income on fuel.The figures, released by the Department for Environment and the Department for Business, show the households who spend more than 10% of their income on fuel.
The number of homes in fuel poverty in England rose from 1.5 million in 2005 to 2.4 million in 2006, including an extra 700,000 vulnerable households.
The Government said the rise across the UK was due to consumer energy bills increasing by 22% between 2005 and 2006.
Ministers said gas prices rose by a half from low levels in 2003 to 2006, while electricity prices increased by a third.
Energy companies have raised their tariffs further this year.
Environment Minister Hilary Benn said the government was committed to tackling fuel poverty, but "sharply rising energy price rises have made that goal increasingly difficult".
Since 2000, the government has spent £20bn on fuel poverty benefits and programmes, he added.