HOLMES PLEDGES TO END FUEL POVERTY MISERY

Chesterfield MP Paul Holmes has promised to end the misery of fuel poverty by voting in favour of a new law to help the most vulnerable people keep their homes warm - and has taken part in a 'sit-in protest' outside Parliament to show his commitment.

Paul Holmes made the pledge alongside pensioner Margaret Joseph in a mocked-up living room as part of a push by Friends of the Earth, Help the Aged and a host of other charities to support the Fuel Poverty Bill.

If passed, the Bill will:

- Oblige the Government to ensure that the homes of those living in fuel poverty are brought up to a high standard of energy efficiency, using super insulation and renewable energy technologies;

- Introduce a mandatory 'social tariff' scheme where people who struggle to heat their home get help to ensure they pay the lowest energy prices until their house is brought up to a high standard of energy efficiency.

Taken together, the measures in the Bill could reduce households' energy use by up to 70 per cent and ensure that those struggling to pay their fuel bills pay the lowest energy prices. Around four million households that struggle to keep warm will be brought up to a high standard of heat and energy efficiency by 2016 - making their homes 'fuel poverty-proof'.

The Bill has its second reading on Friday 20th of March.

Paul Holmes said:

"I'm shocked that so many of the most vulnerable people in our society lose their lives every year because their homes leak heat - that's why I'm voting for the Fuel Poverty Bill to end this misery now.

"Keeping people warm will help all of us by reducing climate-changing emissions from housing, saving money on fuel bills and creating new green businesses."