Charity outrage as Fuel Poverty Bill fails

23/03/2009

A Fuel Poverty Bill, which aimed to cut household gas and electricity costs through energy efficiency measures in vulnerable households, has been thrown out of parliament.

Just 91 MPs voted at the second reading of the proposed legislation on Friday, under the legal limit of 100.

If passed, the Fuel Poverty Bill would have led to efficiency measures including dry wall insulation being installed in homes defined as "fuel poor" - where they spend over ten per cent of their income on gas and electricity.

In turn, the number of people suffering from fuel poverty could have been halved, the legislation's backers claim.

Commenting on Friday's events, Gordon Lishman of Age Concern criticized the government for not supporting the Bill.

"This is a huge let-down for 2.75 million older people living in fuel poverty and many will question why a government which claims to be concerned about fuel poverty has acted in such a cynical way," he said.

"It's time for action to match ministers' rhetoric; they should start by keeping their promises to end the unfair pricing policies which penalise the poorest."

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Young Family Finances, Retirement Money Problems,

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