Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:44 pm on 13 December 2022.
Across Wales there are approximately 90 residential park home sites, which are home to over 3,000 households. Research undertaken in 2016 on behalf of the Welsh Government showed that there was evidence of fuel poverty on these sites. This situation will have no doubt worsened in the current cost-of-living crisis. The majority of park home residents are elderly and disproportionately likely to be less well-off. Park home owners are allowed to increase pitch fees on an annual basis by the rate of the consumer prices index, and, in light of the disastrous premiership of Liz Truss, which saw inflation rates roaring, it's currently at 11 per cent. An 11 per cent increase in pitch fees will push even more park home residents into poverty this winter. So, could I have a statement from the Minister for Climate Change regarding the Welsh Government's plans to protect park home residents from an 11 per cent increase in pitch fees, if that's possible? Thank you.