More than 11 per cent of households in the north of Croydon don’t have enough money to heat their homes this winter, according to the government’s own statistics.

Steve Reed MP: questions in the House about fuel poverty

Figures released by the Department for Energy show there are 5,798 households in the Croydon North constituency, representing 11.2 per cent of all households, who are in “fuel poverty”.

Croydon North’s MP, Steve Reed OBE, questioned Energy Secretary Ed Davey about the problem in the House of Commons last week: “There are nearly 6,000 households living in fuel poverty in Croydon North. According to the government’s own figures, the gap between their bills and what they can afford has grown to nearly £500.

“Given that their energy bills will be going up by another £60 this winter, even after the government’s changes to green levies, doesn’t this show why nothing less than a price freeze and action to stop these companies overcharging again in the future will do?”

Reed highlighted the issues further when he said, “We live in one of the richest cities in one of the richest countries in the world and yet many of our fellow citizens, including older people and young children, are left to shiver in the cold.

“The Tory-led Government are letting the cost of living soar out of control. It’s disgraceful that every tenth home in Croydon North will not be properly heated this winter because of soaring fuel prices.”

Coming to Croydon

• STDLCC Screening: The East, Jan 20
• South Croydon Heritage Trail meeting, Jan 20
• Holocaust Memorial concert, Jan 25
• STDLCC Screening: Winter Nomads, Jan 27
• Renaming ceremony for Lake Conan Doyle, Feb 1
• Coulsdon and Purley Debating Society, Feb 3
• Babylon at the Spread Eagle Theatre, Feb 4-6
• Steve Knightly at Stanley Halls: Feb 5
• Purley Swimathon: Feb 8 and 13
• Mark Steel at Ashcroft Theatre, Feb 12
• Norwood Society talk, Upper Norwood Library, Feb 20
• Mr Pooter comes to Croydon, Feb 20-22
• Stop the Incinerator fund-raiser, Feb 24
• Coulsdon and Purley Debating Society, Mar 3
• Norwood Society talk, Upper Norwood Library, Mar 20

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