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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Million more suffer fuel poverty | Million more suffer fuel poverty |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The number of households in fuel poverty in the UK 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 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. |
| Prices rising | |
| The Government said the rise across the UK was due to consumer energy bills increasing by 22% between 2005 and 2006. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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". |
| Tony Woodley, joint leader of the Unite union, said thousands more people would slip into fuel poverty this winter. | |
| He said: "The government cannot stand back while struggling households chose whether to heat or eat. | |
| "If intervention is on hand to bail out the speculators and spivs who have caused this economic turmoil, then our government should not have to think twice about helping the frail and vulnerable heat their homes." | |
| 'Not complacent' | |
| Last month the government unveiled a £910m package of measures with the big energy companies, aimed at helping people with soaring gas and electricity bills. | |
| It includes half price insulation for all households and a freeze on this year's bills for the poorest families. | |
| Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said the government was not complacent. | |
| "It is the global demand for energy that is pushing up prices, but that is no comfort to the fuel-poor who need support. | |
| "That is why the prime minister launched the substantial energy efficiency package last month; it is why we have required supply companies to improve social tariffs. | |
| "And it is why winter fuel payments for elderly people will increase substantially later this year. | |
| "It is intolerable that the vulnerable could suffer this winter. The government is not complacent. We need to take action on many fronts." |