FUEL POVERTY AND ENERGY PRICES

That this House is gravely concerned that around five million households will experience fuel poverty this winter; notes that many consumers may be paying too much for their energy because of the bewildering complexity of the different social tariffs that are available and because of the penalties for customers with prepayment meters; recognises that much of the United Kingdom housing stock is poorly insulated, leading to even higher fuel bills; observes the estimated £9 billion windfall received by energy generators from the free availability of permits under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme; and calls on the Government to lay a duty on Ofgem to require the energy companies to spend their windfall on a programme of energy efficiency measures including home insulation and the swift installation of smart meters, and a mandatory roll-out of standardised social tariffs guaranteeing cuts in energy prices for customers facing fuel poverty this winter.