Protesters hold "die in" outside EDF Energy HQ
Published on : 23/11/2011
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Members of the Fuel Poverty Action Group have staged a "die-in" - in which they mimicked the effects that fuel poverty could have on many this winter, according to an article published by the Guardian.
Held outside one of the headquarters of EDF Energy - one of the big six energy suppliers - the protest saw participants paint their faces white, their lips blue and shake as if they were suffering from the effects of the cold.
Recent figures released by ONS (the Office for National Statistics) have revealed that there were 25,700 deaths caused by fuel poverty during 2010-11.
With energy prices having risen, this figure is also expected to rise this year as many struggle meet the costs.
Linda Powell, a member of the Fuel Poverty Action Group, commented on the recent situation.
She said: "I've just become a pensioner and I've received my winter fuel allowance of £200, down from £250 thanks to the government.
"I am having to hold back on putting my central heating on, and do everything to cut back. I have to turn off the heating when I go out and I only heat one room. I'm just about keeping going, to be honest," she added.
Chief executive for the NEA, Jenny Saunders has called on the government to do more to tackle the problem.
"They need to ensure that their upcoming energy efficiency programme, the Green Deal, fully delivers where it is needed most, improving comfort levels of homes and providing affordable warmth to vulnerable households,"
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