Cornish MPs support the fuel poverty bill

2.34.00pm GMT Thu 19th Mar 2009

Fuel bills continue to rise

Cornwall's Liberal Democrat MPs will be in Parliament tomorrow to lend their support to a new parliamentary bill aimed at ending fuel poverty. The Fuel Poverty Bill, tabled by David Heath, Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, receives Second Reading on Friday 20th March and calls for a massive home insulation programme intended to halve the energy needed to heat the average home.

The Bill also aims to address the use of higher rates for those with pre-pay meters.

In order for the Bill to pass this stage, 100 MPs must be present in Parliament tomorrow and has the support of many charities and organisations, including Age Concern, the Child Poverty Action Group, Disability Alliance.

Colin Breed , Liberal Democrat MP for South East Cornwall said:

"This Bill is worthy of the support of the whole House, so it is important enough MPs have cleared their diaries to stay in London for Friday's debate. We have the opportunity here to kill two birds with one stone - by insulating houses we are saving money for residents, but also by making them more efficient, we will reduce the countries' energy consumption."

Dan Rogerson, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall added, "For more and more households, the gap between income and expenditure is threatening to grow. This Bill will reduce energy wastage and give more disposable income back to hard working families and businesses. In pressing for more energy efficient homes it will create work for local tradespeople.

This Bill represents a step towards a fairer deal, both for the people of Cornwall and for the environment, and I am delighted to support it."

The support given by Cornish MPs has been welcomed by sustainable Energy Charity Community Energy Plus (CEP).

"We have been fighting fuel poverty in Cornwall for eleven years," says CEP's Rebecca Pearce . "This bill would give legal force to our campaign to ensure every home in the county is well-insulated and affordable to heat. We congratulate our local MPs for backing the bill and call on the Government to do the same."