Fuel Poverty

That the Parliament notes with concern rising energy prices in the UK, which have increased by over three times the rate of inflation; further notes that many families and older people are now being forced to choose between heating and eating; understands that fuel poverty, as estimated by Energy Action Scotland in its report, UK Fuel Poverty Monitor 2013-2014, is thought to affect 900,000 households in Scotland, approximately one third of the population; commends the UK Labour Party for pledging to freeze gas and electricity prices until 2017 and reform the energy market, which will offer hope to people experiencing a cost-of-living crisis, and believes that the Scottish Government will not meet the target of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016 and is consequently failing the many people living in fuel poverty in Scotland.