Ann Winterton fails to help 6216 Congleton households

7.23.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Apr 2009

Where was our MP, Ann Winterton during The House of Commons debate last Friday, 20th March, on ending fuel poverty?

This was a Liberal Democrat Private Member's Bill that required 100 Members to be present for it to progress. Sadly, only 89 turned up and so it was 'talked out' by the Government.

Consumer Focus, a campaigning organisation, estimates that there are 6,216 households in Congleton constituency that suffer from fuel poverty. This means that they spend more than 10% of their income to heat their home to a temperature of 18-21 degrees in the main living area. The Bill by improving energy efficiency would have cut heating costs by up to 70%.

While not every Liberal Democrat MP made it to the vote, 71% did. This is in contrast to 20% of Tories and 25% of Labour MPs who managed to be present. It is regrettable that not enough of our elected representatives could be bothered to support a Bill that would make such a difference to so many of their constituents.