Just at a time when a dedicated consumer watchdog for the energy industry is required more than ever before with bill queries and contests likely to be higher than ever before, domestic utility cut-offs tripling in the last 2 years and in the face of a boasted 500% increase in profits, it has been announced that the consumer energy watchdog EnergyWatch is to be dissolved on the 1st of Oct along with Postcomm and The National Consumer Council who will then merge to form the new consumer watchdog Consumer Focus. The EnergyWatch trademark licensed to the group by Npower is rumoured to be earmarked for use as a trademark on there more green concious products.

What will this mean for those of us constantly fighting the battle with fuel poverty, who will help the next 5 million people that need help, who will speak against these giants on our behalf, the ironically named , rather unfocused Consumer Focus Group apparently, this makes no sense whatsoever, unless there intention is to pull power from the watchdogs back to themselves and the energy giants.

As each day passes the threat to the poor and elderly grows , winter deaths reportedly down 30% over the last 3 years, appear to be more related to mild winters than a raise in living standards and with winter approaching it appears Mr. Brown is willing to take the gamble on another mild winter to guarantee the survival of the poor and elderly rather than making it affordable for people in situations like this, it is only a matter of time before we see a huge winter disaster due to fuel poverty.