Church Action on Poverty
Action request: help stop the UK Poverty Rip-Off
www.church-poverty.org.uk/closethegap
11 January 2011
Why are low-income families excluded from the government's proposed 'Warm Home Discount'?
New research carried out by Save the Children has proven again that low-income families are paying more than the better off for basic goods and services and heating their homes. Nearly £1,300 more! That's quite a 'poverty premium'.
Many of us think it is wrong that the poorest pay most, and today you can take part in a simple petition to the Energy Minister, Chris Huhne, to tell him that low-income families should not have to pay extra for energy bills. It is important that you do it this week as the consultation 'Warm Home Discount' ends this week.
Sign our petition to Chris Huhne now!
Church Action on Poverty has also done some in-depth research into the 'poverty premium'. This uncovered what the poorest pay more for; why they pay more; and what to do it about it. We will be in touch over the coming months with some amazing stories and simple targeted action ideas to make a difference.
The Save the Children research (featured in today's ITV breakfast news, the Daily Mirror and Guardian) shows that the poverty premium has gone up by more than a fifth in the last few years, and that 20% is going on energy bills. Poorer families pay hundreds of pounds extra to keep their homes warm, with an average cost for gas and electricity of £1,135 annually - compared with £880 for other families.
Currently, the proposals in the 'Warm Home Discount' consultation exclude low-income families from receiving a rebate. The phasing out of the energy companies' voluntary 'social tariffs' will give pensioners an automatic rebate of about £140. But there is no such obligation for other vulnerable groups such as families on low-incomes.
If you think that poorer families - who are paying the poverty premium - should get the automatic rebate, take one minute to tell Chris Huhne now.
I'll be in touch in the next few weeks with more ideas and updates.
With good wishes for 2011
Alan Thornton
Church Action on Poverty
PS: Thousands of Save the Children campaigners are also taking part in this action. Please help us spread the word by sharing this article, tweeting and putting it on Facebook.
Source: Church Action on Poverty 2010, www.church-poverty.org.uk
