Labour in Oxford failing to help with energy price rises

3.08.27pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 4th Aug 2008

Oxford City Council's Liberal Democrats have accused the Labour administration of back-tracking on climate change issues. In particular, the council is failing to respond to the problems caused by dramatic increases in fuel costs.

Under the Liberal Democrats, Oxford City Council put the challenges of climate change at the top of the agenda. The council promised to reduce its carbon footprint and obtained funds from the Government to invest in energy-saving measures which would save the Council both carbon emissions and money. Funds were obtained to tackle fuel poverty, especially among elderly residents.

There is now a windfall of over £1m, due to reduced costs and unexpected government grant. Labour propose spending it on one-off projects, with no long-term benefits.

Liberal Democrats are astonished that the needs of the city's vulnerable are being ignored. As fuel prices rise, it will be harder than ever for people on low fixed incomes, such as pensioners, to make ends meet and keep warm as well as eating. Investing in better insulation can literally save lives. Spending just £100,000 on grants to those in greatest need would insulate about 400 homes.

The Council could increase its own energy efficiency with more match-funded measures - which would reduce carbon emissions and help to keep Council costs, hence Council tax, down.

Cllr Jean Fooks, shadow executive member for climate change, says: "Prudent financial management by the Lib Dem administration led to healthy reserves for the city. The new funds are a wonderful opportunity to make the city more efficient with taxpayers' money - and provide vital support for vulnerable residents. I cannot understand why the Labour administration, who themselves highlighted the need for future savings, are failing to grasp this lifeline."