MP backs national campaign to save lives this winter (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

MP backs national campaign to save lives this winter

December 15, 2008 10:57 AM

Cambridge MP David Howarth is backing a national campaign aimed at cutting winter deaths and raising awareness of the help available to people who cannot afford to heat their homes.

He is one of over 70 MPs who have pledged their support to the annual Warm Homes Campaign organised by fuel poverty charities.

In Cambridge 2,610 pensioners - 17.5 per cent - are claiming pension credit and more than 17 per cent of households live in fuel poverty.

Mr Howarth said; "This winter is going to be a difficult time for many households in Cambridge. High energy prices have driven up fuel bills and people are struggling to make ends meet.

"Improved energy efficiency is a powerful and sustainable way to bring down people's energy bills and make homes healthier. The most important message of this campaign is that there is help out there for vulnerable households."

The campaign, run by National Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland, aims to cut the number of excess winter deaths, which included 50 in Cambridge between 2005 and 2006.

NEA chief executive, Jenny Saunders, said: "One in five households in the UK will face poor health, isolation, debt and worry due to fuel poverty this winter. In the light of recent punishing energy price rises, this winter promises to be one of the most difficult in a long time for so many households."