Liberal Democrats Call on Paice to Support Fuel Poverty Bill

5.32.18pm GMT Mon 19th Jan 2009

As households face huge energy bills following the recent cold spell of weather Liberal Democrats in South East Cambridgeshire have expressed their delight that Lib Dem MP David Heath is bringing forward a parliamentary bill aimed at ending fuel poverty and are calling on James Paice MP to support it.

The measures in the bill have received the backing of many major charities and campaign groups, including Help the Aged, Friends of the Earth, Consumer Focus and the Association for the Conservation of Energy.

The Fuel Poverty Bill will bring in two measures:

• A major energy efficiency programme to bring existing homes up to the current energy efficiency levels enjoyed by modern homes.

• Social tariffs to limit vulnerable households' exposure to high-energy bills.

Jonathan Chatfield Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for South East Cambridgeshire said:

"These proposals will be great for the environment whilst also making a real difference to pensioners and others on tight incomes 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 James Paice the MP for South East Cambridgeshire will give the bill his full support when it is debated in the House of Commons."