LIBERAL DEMOCRAT, MARK JEWELL, BACKS BILL TO END FUEL POVERTY

12.00.00am GMT Thu 5th Mar 2009

Liberal Democrats in Preston have expressed their 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.

Preston Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mark Jewell, said: "After the particularly cold weather we have experienced this winter, there is a clear need to ensure that all homes are fully insulated, keeping the vulnerable warm and reducing energy bills. The bill would also provide a much needed boost to the local construction industry struggling in the recession."

Mark added, " These proposals deserve the support of politicians from all parties. I have written to our local MP Mark Hendrick asking that he will give the bill his support when it is debated in the House of Commons on 20th March. In writing to him I highlighted that there are a significant number of households spending more than 10% of their income on heating and fuel. They generally do not have central heating and their home is inadequately insulated."

" 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".