Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Journal Column – 14th December

I was pleased last week to co-lead a debate in the National Assembly bringing much needed attention to Fuel Poverty in Wales.  My party’s motion urged the Welsh government to use all the powers at its disposal to minimise winter deaths; to revise its Fuel Poverty strategy in light of rising energy prices; and called for investment in developing the ‘green skills’ of the construction sector.  With an estimated 40% of the population of Wales facing fuel poverty, we need to see urgent action by this Labour Welsh government.

Rural communities such as those here in Carmarthenshire are often hardest hit by the inability to connect to the gas mains. Households which rely on oil for central heating are therefore being disproportionately hit by the spiraling cost of fuel.  Additionally, those households which can connect to gas mains are seeing their bills jump by 20% with little sign of the Westminster government taking meaningful action against the big energy companies.

The Labour Welsh government must move away from its continued short-term thinking and look to developing ‘green skills’ in our construction industry where there is a shortage of technical and regulatory ability amongst our small construction companies to cope with the green agenda. Further Education colleges are ideal places to kick start the growth of ‘green skills’ and improve the Welsh housing stock.

During these tough economic times, nobody should be left in the position of choosing between food and fuel.  I have asked the Welsh government to make the strongest representations to Westminster to stop utility companies disconnecting energy supplies for households struggling financially.  Water utilities already abide by this regulation.  It should not be difficult to extend the measures to the multi-billion pound gas and electricity companies.

The Labour Welsh government must get to grips with Fuel Poverty. We are a net exporter of energy – there should be absolutely no excuse for fuel poverty in an energy rich nation like Wales.

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