§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people fell out of fuel poverty because of reduced energy prices during the financial year which ended on 31st March 2002. [90807]
§ Mr. WilsonIt is estimated that in England the number of households in fuel poverty fell by around 1½ million between 1996 and 2000. This fall is largely a2W consequence of increased incomes and reduced fuel prices in roughly equal degrees. The impacts of energy efficiency schemes since 1998 are not included in this estimate. Information is not available specifically for the year ending 31 March 2002.
Further analyses of fuel poverty and explanations of the methods used to produce these, are given at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/consumers/fuel—poverty/.