Stunell challenges Government to slash needless fuel poverty deaths

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Mar 2004

The case for zero energy homes with near zero gas and electricity bills was put to Parliament today by local MP Andrew Stunell.

Leading a debate on the Government's green credentials, Andrew Stunell called for quick Government action to tackle fuel poverty and improve the efficiency of homes:

"The Government must take action to back up all its talk on environmental and social issues. I want to see energy efficient homes, with negligible gas and electricity bills all over the North West.

"We release approximately 30% of all UK Carbon dioxide just heating up our homes. That's more than transport! Yet scores of people are still dying right here in the Stockport area every year because they can't afford to heat their energy guzzling homes.

"No other European country suffers the effects of energy guzzling homes to such a dire extent.

"Highly energy efficient homes and zero energy homes can be put at the heart of housing now with the right signals from Government to Local Authorities and housing developers." ENDS