RUSSELL BROWN MP WRAPS UP TO BACK COLD HOMES WEEK
Campaigners calling for more help for those struggling to keep warm this winter delivered a hand-knitted scarf to Russell Brown MP in Parliament yesterday to thank him for his support. The scarf was one of hundreds knitted by supporters of the Energy Bill Revolution campaign to mark “Cold Homes Week” – a series of events and activities focussing attention on the shocking state of many of the UK’s homes, and the terrible effect they have on the people left shivering inside them.
As Cold Homes Week was taking place, fuel poverty figures showed that in Scotland fuel poverty has increased by 12% since 2013. The latest figures for Dumfries and Galloway show that 38.5% of local households live in fuel poverty.
The Energy Bill Revolution campaign has brought together almost 180 organisations, charities and companies to call on Government to do much more to help those in cold homes by providing far more support to insulation and energy efficiency schemes. The campaigners point to other countries, such as Sweden, where incomes and fuel prices are broadly similar to the UK, but better housing means far fewer people cannot afford to heat their homes.
The Energy Bill Revolution has identified billions of pounds in “carbon taxes” already being paid by bill payers that currently disappears into the Treasury, and has called on Government to recycle this money into help for households to become more efficient. Such a policy would end fuel poverty in 10 years, and could also provide help for better off families to cut their bills.
Ed Matthew, Director of the Energy Bill Revolution said:
“We welcome Mr Brown’s support for the Energy Bill Revolution. It is clear that the lasting solution to this crisis is to stop homes leaking heat. This must be UK’s number one infrastructure priority, it will save families hundreds of pounds on their energy bills and end fuel poverty for good.”
Russell Brown MP said:
“It really is a disgraceful situation in the 21st Century that so many households, especially pensioners, are struggling to heat their homes and be comfortable. The Government really does need to take action to reduce fuel poverty and ensure that this blight on so many households is reduced immediately.”
Notes to the editor
Attached photo of Russell Brown MP receiving scarf from Ed Matthew, Director of the Energy Bill Revolution
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