Debt fear for green scheme

As the government announces plans to lower its carbon emissions by 2050, a consumer group has raised concerns about how it may lead to the fuel poor seeking debt help.

The government's first Annual Energy Statement aims to move people towards saving energy; providing secure, low carbon energy in the future and taking climate change at home and abroad.

However, whilst Consumer Focus welcomes the moves in principle, it does worry about what the initiatives will do to those in debt.

Audrey Gallacher, the group's Head of Energy Policy, accepts that the use of smart meters will benefit many, but wants "a clear strategy… to prevent the poorest homes being hit hard by the costs of these changes".

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