Home improvements can cut climate change and poverty - Burstow

8.30.00am GMT Tue 3rd Mar 2009

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, is calling on the Government to implement their promised energy efficiency measures for homes as quickly as possible- to cut levels of fuel consumption and fuel poverty.

Mr Burstow made his comments after the publication of a report by the Public Accounts Committee, of which he is a member, assessing the Government's progress in reducing household energy consumption. Although energy consumption fell between 2004 and 2007; to meet the Government's own targets household use must fall by 11% by 2010. However all current trends suggest that it will rise due to extra housing needs, greater use of electrical appliances and expectations of how warm dwellings should be.

Mr Burstow is a co-sponsor of David Heath MP's Private Member's Bill on Fuel Poverty Bill which is backed by major charities such as Friends of the Earth. It aims to bring in a major programme of works that would bring existing homes up to the energy efficiency levels of all modern homes in order to save households money by reducing their energy consumption.

Commenting after the reports publication, Mr Burstow said;

'Today's report indicates that major action is required to reduce the energy use of all homes in the UK. The Government must re-double their efforts to improve household energy efficiency if they are serious about tackling climate change as well as fuel poverty.

'It is not enough just to stop using the standby function on our appliances or increase winter fuel allowance. The proposals in David Heath's bill are urgently needed; homes must be made energy efficient to cut the fuel costs of our most vulnerable people and our carbon footprint as a nation.'