To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the implications would be of the Government not meeting its target of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016. (188717)

We remain committed to the eradication of fuel poverty. Our aim in England, restated in ‘Fuel Poverty in England: The Government's Plan for Action’, is to eradicate fuel poverty, as far as reasonably practicable, by 22 November 2016. The target for the UK as a whole is 2016-18.

Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Government. DEFRA will continue to discharge its duties and responsibilities under the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 with the aim of ensuring, as far as is reasonably practicable, that people do not live in fuel poverty by the set date.

As with any target with a statutory basis, failure to achieve this carries the risk of a legal challenge. We do not take this risk lightly and remain committed to achieving the 2016-18 target across the UK.