Government taken to High Court over fuel poverty27 October 2008
Together with Help the Aged, we took the Government to court over their failure to tackle fuel poverty.
The landmark judicial review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London lasted two days.
The case was dismissed by the High Court.
However, we were granted leave to appeal given the public importance of the case.
We were also ordered to pay no costs on the basis of the 'exceptional' public interest of the case.
History of the case
Eight years ago, we successfully campaigned for a new law to protect people from fuel poverty. We led the campaign for a bill that became the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000.
That law required the Government to publish a strategy in 2001. This committed it to do everything 'reasonably practicable' to eliminate fuel poverty by 2016.
The Government also had to do everything it could to eliminate fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010. This includes households with:
- Children
- Elderly people
- People with disabilities
More crucial than ever
But the number of households in fuel poverty is now higher than when the strategy was published. And it's increasing every year as a result of rising fuel prices.
There are now thought to be more than 5 million households in fuel poverty in the UK.
The Government are taking no steps to reach their targets.
Fuel poverty and climate change
The issue of fuel poverty is urgent.
There are around 20,000 excess winter deaths each year which are partly caused by people's inability to heat their homes properly.
Poorly insulated homes require people to burn huge amount fossil fuels to keep warm - wasted energy that could otherwise be saved.
We are asking for a long term solution. This means domestic energy efficiency and renewable energy.
This would cut fuel poverty and play a real part in addressing climate change.
Read more about this case
See our press releases:
- Legal challenge over Government's fuel poverty strategy
- Fuel poverty highest ever in England under Labour, new figures reveal
Read court documents
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