The
Warm Front Scheme set up to improve the energy efficiency of homes and reduce fuel poverty in the UK would benefit from greater consultation with customers, it has been claimed.
Frea O'Brien, general manager at consumer group Customer First UK, said that only a third of those who are unable to meet their energy bills are being helped by the initiative.
While this marked a good start in the bid to beat fuel poverty, she said consulting with homeowners directly is the only way to "identify and prioritise" those in need of help.
Ms O'Brien claimed that holding focus groups and public surgeries is the best way to ensure people with the greatest needs are supported by the programme.
"It would certainly go some way to warming this scheme up on all fronts - the customer, the taxpayer and let's not forget by conserving energy the only thing we want to cool down - the environment," she commented.
According to the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, more than four million households across England were in fuel poverty as at September last year, compared with just 1.2 million in 2004.
