FIONA BACKS PLANS TO CUT ENERGY BILLS
April 16, 2007 12:00 AM
Fiona Hall has welcomed Lib Dems proposals on how making Britain's homes more energy efficient could cut millions of tonnes of CO2, conserve energy and lead to big savings in energy bills.
The energy spokesperson, who has been demanding for European level action on energy efficiency, backed the proposals, announced today.
The Liberal Democrats plans would:
· Help lift pensioners and disabled people out of fuel poverty;
· Cut the number of excess winter deaths in the North East;
· Make it easier for families to insulate their homes and cut fuel bills;
· Aim to more than halve the amount of polluting carbon emissions produced by homes in the North East.
A recent government study found 103,000 households are living in fuel poverty in the North East, 9.5% of all households in the region. Government statisticians have calculated that, across the North East, there were 1100 excess winter deaths, of which 900 were pensioners.
The Lib Dem plans would see fuel bills for local people fall dramatically and carbon emissions from homes cut by over half by 2050.
Fiona Hall has criticised the Government for failing to implement the European Buildings Directive and for preventing local councils from setting higher energy efficiency standards.
The Lib Dem European energy spokesperson said:
"Improving energy efficiency in buildings is the most cost-effective way of cutting CO2 emissions.
"What's more, it requires no new technology - we know how to do it -and it has the massive social benefit of cutting fuel poverty and excess winter deaths."
Speaking on the specific proposals the Member of European Parliament said:
"It's disgraceful that pensioners can't afford to heat their homes.
"I want to see help targeted to enable older people and those with disabilities to increase the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their fuel bills.
"Standardised packages including a range of insulation, draught-proofing and window, heating and light replacement would help improve the energy efficiency of all homes in the North East.
"It should be simple maths: less energy wasted equals lower fuel bills, fewer excess winter deaths, less pollution and a greener North East."
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