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4 | 23rd - 29th May 2014 | UtILIty WEEK National media The Green Deal Latest govern- ment figures reveal the pro- gress made by the Green deal by the end of april 2014. 210,239 Green deal assessments in total 22,005 assessments were made in april, the second highest monthly total 2,439 households in the UK have Green deal Plans in progress 756 are "new" (where the quote has been accepted) 505 are "pending" (plan signed) 1,178 are "live" (all measures installed) High utility bills force poorest to food banks The poorest households spend 40 per cent of their income on hous- ing, food and fuel, a huge increase on a decade ago, according to research uncovered by an all-party parliamentary inquiry into hunger and food poverty. The evidence suggests that while the cost of living crisis has hurt every socio-economic group, it has been a disaster for the poorest households. According to Labour MP Frank Field, the disproportionately large increase seen in the poorest house- holds is due entirely to rising hous- ing and fuel costs – the proportion of income spent on food is the same as a decade ago. The Guardian GPs to 'prescribe a boiler' to cold patients Patients suffering from respira- tory diseases exacerbated by cold homes could be "prescribed" a new boiler or in- sulation, under plans being trialled by the NHS. GPs in northeastern England have been asked to identify pa- tients to receive NHS-funded energy efficiency improvements to their houses, to test whether a warmer home helps them to better manage their symptoms and reduce their need for medical attention. The Telegraph BP's chief economist leaves for Abu Dhabi Christof Ruhl, BP's highly respected chief economist, is leaving the company to become the first global head of research at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. The Financial Times sTory by NUMbErs E uropean Commission appointments following this week's election of MEPs could threaten the EU con- sensus on energy and climate change, Brussels experts have warned. New faces in the executive pose a greater risk to the climate change agenda than representa- tives elected to the European Parliament, according to envi- ronmental think-tank E3G. Eurosceptic parties like Ukip, many of which are hostile to the prevailing climate change agenda, are expected to win around a quarter of seats. However, E3G said in a briefing note: "Ideological divisions and poor voting records mean more Eurosceptic MEPs are not a huge threat to strong majority support for a progressive climate and energy agenda." More significant will be the split of seats between the centre- right European People's Party (EPP) bloc and centre-le Party of European Socialists (S&D). The balance of Parliament will influence the selection of Commission president, who will serve a two-and-a-half-year term from December. The frontrun- ners are Jean-Claude Junker for EPP and Martin Schulz for S&D, but national leaders can put forward other candidates. Stephen Tindale, associate fellow at the Centre for Euro- pean Reform, said the "worst case scenario" would be the appointment of pro-coal Polish prime minister Donald Tusk. "That would be total disaster for climate and energy," he said. Also important will be the choice of energy commissioner and the future of the climate change directorate at the Com- mission. MD Seven days... Euro elections 'threaten climate consensus' £9.1bn The amount SSE boosted the UK economy by last year, according to a report commissioned by the company from PwC before its preliminary results, which are expected to show a 9 per cent rise in pre-tax profit "He has played a key role in negotiating our RIIO price controls, which should provide enduring value" National Grid chief executive Steve Holliday praises Nick Winser on hearing he will leave the board in July and quit the company next year