Heating our homes shouldn't cost the earth

12.00.00am GMT Thu 1st Jan 2009

Fiona launching the petition with Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson Vince Cable MP

In this day and age, heating a home shouldn't cost the earth. Yet more and more people are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Fiona Hall has launched a petition that will help thousands of people in the North East save money on fuel bills.

The energy spokesperson is lobbying the Government to help reduce fuel bills, by committing to put in place measures to ensure that all North East homes are insulated to the highest standard.

"With 11.5% of North East homes are currently finding themselves in a state of fuel poverty - when more than 10% of annual income is spent paying fuel bills and almost 1,500 people in the North East dying as a result of cold homes in 2007, the Government needs to act fast," explained Fiona.

"The household sector in the UK currently accounts for 27% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Britain's homes are also some of the worst in Europe for energy wasting - 41 million tonnes of carbon a year is wasted through electricity and heating. In Sweden the same number is 4.7%, whilst the average temperature in January is 7 degrees lower than in the UK!"

"Making homes energy efficient does not have to be hard work and with the Government's help does not have to cost the earth.

"I hope you will support this new campaign and will sign my new petition to insulate all North East homes."