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As heating bills spike, how can Europe protect its poor?
(Reuters, 23 Sep 2021) In Europe, the spectre of soaring heating bills this winter has prompted proposals for innovative ways to help citizens heat their homes.
Millions of Europeans face fuel poverty this winter as gas prices hit unprecedented highs, forcing governments to offer a raft of reforms, rules and sweeteners to cushion the blow.
The spectre of soaring heating bills - after a pandemic that has already savaged incomes - has led some countries to come up with innovative ways to help tens of millions of poor Europeans heat their homes through winter.
Here are some of the options on the table:
Subsidies and benefits
Several countries plan temporary cash injections for their poorest, be it help paying fuel bills or higher benefits.
Such moves are popular as they use existing systems that target poorer households, said Louise Sunderland at the environmental non-profit Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP).
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Reuters, 23 Sep 2021: As heating bills spike, how can Europe protect its poor?
