Rugby LIBERAL DEMOCRATS BACK BILL TO END FUEL POVERTY

8.31.02pm GMT Sun 18th Jan 2009

Rugby LIBERAL DEMOCRATS BACK BILL TO END FUEL POVERTY

Jerry Roodhouse has expressed his delight that Liberal Democrat MP David Heath is bringing forward a parliamentary bill aimed at ending fuel poverty.

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.

Jerry who is the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, said:

"I have campaigned a long time for such a bill not only to help people but also for the environment it will if adopted be 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 Conservative MP Jeremy Wright will give the bill support when it is debated in the House of Commons."

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.

This also part of Jerry Roodhouse campaign for "Dignity"

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Jerry is to Chair a Health scrutiny committee into winter deaths which will pick up on this issue not only for Rugby but also for Solihull & Coventry

• 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;show

• As a result of coming second in the private member's bill ballot, David Heath is guaranteed time for his bill to be debated in the House of Commons on a private member's bill Friday. The date for the debate has not yet been set, but it is likely to be in March.

• January 2008 Press Release

Residents face winter fuel payment wipe out - Liberal Democrats

LIBERAL Democrats in the Rugby area are calling on the Government to protect pensioners in Rugby from energy price rises. They have made the call after figures showed that recent increases in the cost of electricity and gas are set to wipe out pensioners' winter fuel payment.

Figures received by the Liberal Democrats from the House of Commons Library show that since 2004/5, and taking into account recently announced price rises:

• For a typical pensioner household aged 65-74 with gas central heating, gas bills have gone up by £260pa and electricity by £160pa - a total of £420

• For a typical pensioner household aged over 75 gas bills are up £200pa and electricity bills up £150pa - a total of £350

• The value of the Winter Fuel Payment per household for those aged 60-79 is £200, and £300 for those aged over 80

• The £300 rate for the over 80s was introduced in the winter of 2003/04 and hasn't risen since

"Elderly and disabled people are hardest hit by the fuel price hikes, which more than wipe out the value of the Winter Fuel Payment," said Jerry Roodhouse who has a track record of tackling fuel poverty. Who went onto to say "This will leave many residents of Rugby in a financially difficult position. "The Government must do far more to combat fuel poverty. The top priority must be to end the scandal where pensioners are paying a fortune to heat draughty houses where a lot of the heat is simply wasted. Many older people are currently paying to heat the great outdoors in addition to their own home.

"This is a waste of scarce cash and also makes no sense for the environment.

"In many other European countries with much colder weather, household energy bills are lower because homes are better insulated and heating is more energy-efficient.

"The Government needs to get its act together and make sure that our pensioners don't have to make a choice between heating and eating on cold winter days."