Lib Dem adopts bill to end fuel poverty

12.56.00am GMT Tue 20th Jan 2009

Liberal Democrats working to bring an end to fuel poverty

Stuart Bodsworth has welcomed the decision by Lib Dem MP David Heath to take forward a bill to end fuel poverty.

Mr Heath won second place in the annual ballot for private members bills, and therefore his bill has a good chance of becoming law.

The fuel poverty bill will aim to help the thousands of people who are struggling with the cost of energy in the current economic crisis.

It has the backing of a wide range of organisations including Age Concern, the Association for the Conservation of Energy, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, the Child Poverty Action Group, Consumer Focus, Disability Alliance, Friends of the Earth, Help the Aged and the National Right to Fuel Campaign.

The bill will make the government return to their promise to eradicate fuel poverty which they quietly shelved when it became clear their efforts would not get the job done. It will bring in two measures:

A major energy efficiency programme to 'fuel poverty proof' existing homes by bringing them up to the current energy efficiency levels enjoyed by modern homes

Social tariffs to limit vulnerable households' exposure to high energy bills

Last week the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg hosted a fuel poverty summit with energy companies, charities and consumer groups.

Stuart Bodsworth said: "The Levels of fuel poverty in this country are a national disgrace and New Labour should be ashamed that they have not done more.

"I am proud to offer my support to the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary team for taking on this problem.

"It is estimated that five million households have to choose between heating and eating in winter.

Tackling fuel poverty will be good for the least well off in our society and good for the environment too."