Oldham MPs fail to back life-saving bill - Alcock

11.28.00pm GMT Tue 24th Mar 2009

home heat loss

A life-saving bill has failed to get through Parliament because not enough MPs showed up to vote, including Oldham MPs Michael Meacher, David Heyes and Phil Woolas.

The Fuel Poverty Bill had attracted support from MPs of all parties and was enthusiastically backed by leading charities including Age Concern, Friends of the Earth and the Child Poverty Action Group.

However, under parliamentary rules more than 100 MPs needed to support it when it was debated on Friday 20th March in the House of Commons.

The vote was carried by 89 votes to 2, but this was not enough to allow the bill to proceed.

Oldham West & Royton Parliamentary spokesperson Mark Alcock, said: "This Bill could have offered so much to so many people across the country. We could have saved thousands of lives every year. By regenerating the building trade we could have kick started the economy. We could also have begun to seriously tackle climate change by reducing our energy use.

"Another opportunity to help those struggling with high fuel bills in Coldhurst, Medlock Vale, Royton, Chadderton, Werneth and Hollinwood has been missed. It will show that the government is failing on its promise to deliver warm homes for all."