News Date: Tuesday 31st March 2009
The Fuel Poverty Bill
Both Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, and Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West, made a special effort to be in the House of Commons on Friday to debate the Fuel Poverty Bill. The Fuel Poverty Bill aimed to eradicate fuel poverty by bringing in a major energy efficiency programme and give the Secretary of State the power to limit vulnerable households’ high energy bills. Commenting, Tim said:
‘It is outrageous that the Government talked this Bill out of time. High energy bills are a serious problem for millions of people, including many in my constituency; the Government should have given them a fairer hearing.‘Because we think that increased insulation is one of the best ways to bring down fuel costs for all and to reduce fuel poverty in this country, my Party is calling for the Government to take action to adopt our “Just Do It” insulation scheme. This scheme would offer every household – whether fuel poor or not - an entitlement to up to £6,500 of approved energy efficiency improvements. Gas and electricity costs would be reduced immediately, with costs recovered by the energy companies from the savings consumers make through their household fuel bills over a period of up to 25 years.’
NOTES
The debate on the Fuel Poverty Bill can be read here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090320/debtext/90320-0001.htm#09032039000002
