Fuel poverty isreal in Rye sayscandidate Sarah

Recent statistics show 5,288 homes in Rye and Hastings are considered to be in fuel poverty – a figure which represents about 11 per cent of the area’s houses.

Numbers are broken down into parliamentary constituency and the local area is the second worst in the south east – with only Brighton Pavilion coming out worse, with 13 per cent.

Fuel poverty is the term given to households who cannot be reasonably expected to be able to afford fuel payments when the wages of the occupants are taken into consideration.

Rye Labour candidate Sarah Owen said: “Too many people will have to choose between heating and eating. From my meetings on fuel bills with residents in Rye, it is clear that people cannot afford to keep their households running.

“Energy companies should not be allowed to continue ripping off their customers, so I am fighting to see a tougher regulator which would have the power to force firms to cut their prices and ensure that all people over 75 are put on the cheapest tariffs.”