Action to stop fuel poverty

5.16.04pm GMT Sat 14th Mar 2009

Liberal Democrats in Mitcham and Morden are supporting a new proposal aimed at ending fuel poverty.

David Heath, a Lib Dem MP, is asking Parliament to back his Fuel Poverty Bill, it will bring in two measures:

• An energy efficiency programme to bring existing homes up to the energy efficiency levels enjoyed by modern homes.

• Ways to limit vulnerable households' exposure to high energy bills.

Mitcham and Morden Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Diana Coman, said:

"The local Lib Dem team have been out asking people how they are coping with their gas and electricity bills. Most told us they are concerned about how much the winter bills will be.

"Residents also say they don't think it is fair that people on pre-payment metres should be paying more for their fuel.

"The Fuel Poverty Bill will be great for the environment whilst also making a real difference to pensioners and others struggling to pay their energy bills. It will make a real difference to the estimated five million households faced with the terrible choice between heating and eating this winter.

"The bill would also provide a much-needed boost to the local construction industry struggling in the recession.

"These proposals deserve the support of politicians from all parties. I hope that the Labour MP for this area support the changes to the law when they are debated in the House of Commons."

The proposals are backed by many major charities and campaign groups, including Help the Aged, Friends of the Earth, Consumer Focus and the Association for the Conservation of Energy.

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ENDS

Notes to editors

The proposals in the bill also form part of the Liberal Democrats' Green Road out of Recession package. Further information on the package can be found at http://www.libdems.org.uk/home/nick-clegg-launches-the-green-road-out-of-the-recession-98449610