Government blocks fuel poverty bill

4.00.00pm GMT Fri 20th Mar 2009

Local MP Simon Hughes was in the Commons today attempting to pass a bill which would end fuel poverty by 2016. Despite the efforts of the majority of Liberal Democrats MPs and some other backbenchers, the Labour government blocked the passage of the bill.

The bill, which had the backing of organisations ranging from Help the Aged to Friends of the Earth, would promote energy efficiency and cheaper energy tariffs for the less well off.

Spearheading the move, Liberal Democrat David Heath (Somerton and Frome) said: "Support for this Bill is a no-brainer." Mr Heath said it was a "national disgrace" that up to five million households were in fuel poverty in the UK and his Bill could provide a "huge stimulus" for the energy efficiency industry just when it was needed during the economic downturn.

Simon Hughes said that despite the government's efforts, 13 out of 100 homes in North Southwark and Bermondsey was fuel poor - spending more than 10% of their income on fuel bills - and action needed to be taken to make energy cheaper, to simplify fuel tariffs and to improve home energy efficiency.

Speaking after the government blocked the bill Simon Hughes said: "Across Britain millions of families would have gained from the Fuel Poverty Bill. Sadly the government has decided to behave poorly by blocking it. Unless they change their minds in the next few weeks another opportunity to help those struggling with high fuel bills will be missed. It will show that the government is failing on its promise to deliver warm homes for all."

Consumer Focus, another campaign group backing the Bill, described the measure's failure as a "devastating blow" for the vulnerable. Jonathan Stearn, energy expert for Consumer Focus, said: "We are dismayed that the Government has talked out a Bill to end fuel poverty.

"By not supporting the Bill the Government have dramatically failed the poorest consumers. We need urgent action to help the millions of at risk households and this is a major lost opportunity. This is a sad day for those who are facing a daily battle to afford to heat their homes."