Fuel Poverty

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government – in the Senedd at 1:33 pm on 18 January 2023.

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Photo of Tom Giffard Tom Giffard Conservative 1:33, 18 January 2023

Good afternoon, Minister. I've looked at the Bevan Foundation's evidence to the Finance Committee. I'm struck by the point, and I quote,

'that short-term measures to ease cost-of-living pressures are not a substitute for action to reduce poverty'.

And they noted that there had been limits to investment in social housing and energy efficiency. Now, aside from the need to bring forward a new Warm Homes programme, there should be a focus on ensuring new properties are available that are energy efficient and warm. In Swansea, however, just 91 homes were completed by registered social landlords, and 18 by Swansea Council, in 2021-22. And we know already that Swansea Council is a council that's failing to meet its housing targets more generally. So, what immediate efforts are you therefore making, Minister, to close the gap in Swansea's housing, to ensure that more of my constituents are safe and warm this winter?