Help for poor as energy prices boom

By Jeremy Lovell

LONDON (Reuters) - The government set out on Friday extra measures to help the poor and boost energy efficiency in the face of rocketing fuel prices.

Booming oil and energy prices are adding to the headaches for Prime Minister Gordon Brown whose future is under threat due to a faltering economy, a mess-up on tax changes and the Labour Party's mauling in recent elections.

From energy suppliers sharing data to more help for home insulation and microgeneration and an information campaign the new measures are aimed at those in fuel poverty -- households where more than 10 percent of income goes on energy bills.

"Bills are rising and purse strings are tightening. Encouraging energy efficiency is crucial because it really does cut costs - especially for those who can least afford energy price hikes," said Environment Minister Phil Woolas.

"These new measures will make homes across the country more energy efficient and give people at risk of fuel poverty a boost where they need it most."

Far from halving fuel poverty as the government promised, it has doubled since 2004 and shows no sign of declining again in the near future.

Gas and electricity prices have surged 15 percent already this year and are predicted to jump by up to 45 percent over the year as crude oil prices have jumped to over $133 a barrel at one stage due to booming demand from countries like China.

There has been at least one suggestion that crude could hit $200 a barrel, although there have also been suspicions that the underlying supply and demand mismatch may be being exacerbated by speculators.