28 January 2009

Every year, twenty lucky MPs are successful in the so-called Private Members' Ballot - which gives them a chance to introduce a Bill of their choice in Parliament. The Federation of Private Residents' Associations is supporting the Fuel Poverty Bill which has been adopted by David Heath, the Lib Dem MP for Somerton & Frome, with cross-party support. This Bill is also being supported by the Fuel Poverty coalition which includes, amongst others, Friends of the Earth, Help the Aged and the Association for the Conservation of Energy.

The Warm Homes & Energy Conservation Act 2000 placed a duty on the Government to end all fuel poverty in England by 2016 and among vulnerable groups by 2010. But a recent High Court judgment ruled that this duty was in effect merely discretionary. The Fuel Poverty Bill reinstates the duty and focuses on increasing the energy efficiency of the housing stock. It also requires social tariffs to be offered to vulnerable customers in the short term. With 5 million UK households unable to afford to heat their homes this winter, the Bill is urgently needed.

The Bill's Second Reading is on Friday 20 March and we need 100 MPs to be there and vote for it. Fridays are always very difficult for MPs to attend - but they are much more likely to do so if asked by constituents. That's why I am asking you now - well ahead of the Bill's Second Reading date - to do all you can to ensure your MP is one of the 100 MPs that we need to attend so that we can close the debate and ensure the Bill obtains a Second Reading. If you belong to a Residents Association, please also write to all the members of your Association and ask them to do likewise, as a large postbag of letters from constituents really can make all the difference!

Please therefore write to your MP stressing your strong personal support for this Bill and asking for their commitment to attend on 20th March. You can write to your MP at House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA (letter template available here) or email them through this website: www.writetothem.com.

Please do let the FPRA know of any answers you receive.

Many thanks. Together we can ensure an end to fuel poverty once and for all!

Yours sincerely
Robert Levene
Chief Executive
FPRA

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