The Department of Energy and Climate Change is responsible for national programmes aimed at reducing fuel poverty. The combination of Warm Front, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP), Decent Homes and local programmes delivered through local government, partnerships, energy suppliers, eaga and NEA (such as Warm Zones and CEEF) are all important in tackling fuel poverty across regions of England.
The Warm Front scheme is the Government's main scheme for tackling fuel poverty and up to 24 January 2010 has delivered energy efficiency measures to 1,904 households in Ashford constituency since the year 2000. Additionally, over 310 benefit entitlement checks have been undertaken since June 2003, identifying an average weekly increase in income of £27.84 for those entitled to additional benefits.
The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) requires energy suppliers to meet at least 40 per cent. of their obligation by promoting and installing measures in the homes of a priority group of vulnerable consumers in receipt of qualifying benefits or people aged over 70 years. Measures are only reported at GB level and details at constituency level are not available.