It is shocking to learn that more than 23,000 households in Bradford and district are now classed as being in fuel poverty.

This figure has doubled since we last examined the issue and the true picture is probably much worse as that total does not take into account the last few years which saw the credit crunch and soaring fuel bills.

If we had been talking about Victorian Britain, this would have been understandable, but this is the 21st century where such suffering is meant to have been consigned to the pages of history.

In this day and age there are certain basic living standards that everyone should be able to afford – and that includes keeping warm.

The fact fuel costs are now putting the squeeze on many family budgets must mean they have to choose between buying food and heating their homes.

Either way, it is a miserable existence and one which people should not have to endure.

It would appear that whatever safeguards are in place to protect the most vulnerable, they are not working well enough, and it is time for both the politicians and power companies to look at the issue with fresh eyes.

One thing seems certain, and that is that relying mainly on market forces to make sure such a vital service as heating is affordable to all does not seem to offer enough protection to the most vulnerable.

That being the case, beefing up the powers of the regulator would seem a good start – especially with regard to mandatory social tariffs, which seem long overdue.