Fuel help 'not effective enough'

Campaigners say more people are vulnerable this winter than ever

Help for people struggling with their energy bills must be better targeted to prevent more people slipping into fuel poverty, a watchdog's report says.

The National Audit Office commended the government's warm front scheme, a key plank of its fuel poverty strategy, for being popular and value for money.

But it found many people who needed help were not receiving it, while some who did not were getting assistance.

The government said it was examining the issue of "improved targeting".

Campaigners said the scheme was under-funded and "unfit for purpose".

'Scratching the surface'

Reviewing the scheme, which supplies grants for home insulation, the NAO said about 635,000 households had benefited from it between June 2005 and March 2008.

These households had saved an estimated