LIB DEM MP IN WAITING PUSHES CURRENT ONE ON FUEL POVERTY

The Liberal Democrat MP David Heath is bringing to Parliament a debate that aims to end the scourge of Fuel Poverty once and for all.

The Fuel Poverty Bill has two main objectives. The first is the launch of a major energy efficiency programme to 'fuel poverty proof' the homes of the fuel poor by bringing them up to the energy efficiency levels enjoyed by new homes. The second will be the use of social tariffs to limit vulnerable households' exposure to high energy bills.

The Bill will be debated in Parliament on Friday 20th March and it is essential that 100 MPs attend the House and vote for the Bill in order to ensure that it receives a Second Reading.

Lib Dem Parliamentary hopeful Dale Mulgrew said, 'Sadly, year after year the Government have failed to take the necessary action to deliver on their statutory targets to end fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010 and in other households by 2016.'

'More than 20,000 people die from the cold during the winter and many more become ill. The average fuel bill is now more than double what it was five years ago and energy prices continue to rise.'

'That is why the Fuel Poverty Bill is so important and is why I am urging Janet Anderson MP to participate in the debate'

Letter as below:

Dear Janet Anderson,

RE: FUEL POVERTY BILL

The aforementioned bill will be presented for debate in Parliament on Friday 20th March 2009.

As you know the Bill aims to end the scourge of fuel poverty once and for all.

The Bill has two main objectives. The first is the launch of a major energy efficiency programme to "fuel poverty proof" the homes of the fuel poor by bringing them up to the energy efficiency levels enjoyed by new homes. The second will be the use of social tariffs to limit vulnerable households' exposure to high energy bills.

Can I ask whether you think this is an important Bill? And if so will you support it by attending its first debate in Parliament?

Yours sincerely,

Dale Mulgrew