National Housing Federation: 'Queen's Speech must not be missed opportunity' » Housing » 24dash.com

The National Housing Federation today welcomed the introduction of bills on social care and energy in the Queen’s Speech – but said that they must not prove to be missed opportunities on helping vulnerable people or those on prepayment meters.

The Federation said that the Government’s Social Care Bill, which media reports indicate will provide free care at home for up to 350,000 people with the highest needs, will still leave thousands with complex care needs with no help at all.

The organisation, which represents England’s housing associations, also said the Energy Bill, which media reports indicate will introduce mandatory social tariffs, will be a missed opportunity if it does not outlaw the long-running ‘prepayment meter rip off’, through which one million low income energy customers pay the very highest tariffs for their gas.

Social Care Bill

Responding to the Social Care Bill, Federation chief executive David Orr said: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to provide free care for thousands of vulnerable people.

“But the measures envisaged in this Bill quickly need to be broadened out beyond the relatively small number of people with critical needs.

“Unless the Government extends the expected scope of this Bill, thousands of people with care and support needs who don’t quite meet the eligibility criteria will receive no help at all.”

He added: “We are also concerned that the estimated £560m-670m cost of free care will mean less money for people, with lower level support needs, to live independently at home.
 
“The Federation has long campaigned for more investment in preventative services, which we believe save £1.3bn on health and care budgets and improve people's quality of life.”

Energy Bill

Commenting on the Energy Bill, Mr Orr said: “We welcome the expected introduction of mandatory social tariffs to help vulnerable households with their energy bills.”

“However, the Government must go much further and outlaw the long-running prepay meter rip off, through which one million lower income households are charged more for their gas than anyone else.

Mr Orr added that he welcomed the fact that the Bill will strengthen the powers of the energy regulator Ofgem.

However, he added: “After years of toothless regulation, soaring levels of fuel poverty and record fuel bills – there’s little in Ofgem’s history to suggest it will stand up to the energy giants.”