Joan Ryan MP is supporting Fuel Poverty Awareness Day by pledging to do more to tackle the 10% of Enfield North households living in a cold, damp home.
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, on Friday 17th February, is a national campaign to highlight the problem of fuel poverty. There are currently over 4 million households across the UK unable to afford the energy they need to stay warm and healthy in their homes. It is a particular problem for those in low incomes living in energy inefficient homes that are difficult and expensive to heat.
Suffering from cold-related ill health costs the NHS £1.36 billion each year, yet the government has made huge cuts to the incentives to make energy efficiency a priority. In the last Parliament, major energy efficiency measures installed in homes declined by 80%, and it is estimated that it will decline by a further 73% in this Parliament. The total level of investment has declined by 53% between 2010 and 2015.
Joan Ryan MP said: “4000 homes in Enfield North are suffering from fuel poverty, which can lead to extremely poor health, especially in those who are vulnerable such as older people, young children, and those with long term sickness and disabilities.
“Not only will cold homes cause misery for thousands of residents this winter, but its effects will place an extra strain on our already overstretched health services.
“We need effective long-term solutions to tackle fuel poverty and bring down energy bills.
“At the last election, I stood on a manifesto to freeze energy prices for two years and reform the energy market so that it delivered fairer prices and a better deal for working families.
“And I support Labour’s current proposals to insulate 4 million homes and to require landlords to ensure their properties are energy efficient to a minimum standard.”
Joan Ryan MP supports campaign to end the ‘cold homes crisis’ in Enfield North
