Alarming figures released today on winter deaths come at a time when fuel bills are at record levels. The latest Government figures show that the number of UK households in fuel poverty rose to 4 million in 2007, an increase of 500,000 on 2006 levels

There are currently more than five million households who cannot afford to heat their homes

The Government has failed in the fight against fuel poverty with new figures released by the Office of National Statistics showing a 49 per cent rise in the number of excess winter deaths across England and Wales.

A Conservative Government has promised an ambitious programme to tackle the issue of Fuel Poverty. Including:

• Making Homes more energy efficient – Saving households money on their bills

• An entitlement to energy efficiency improvements - Every household in the country will be able to access energy efficiency improvements worth up to £6,500

• Making it illegal for energy companies to charge unfair price premiums on prepayment meters - Reducing bills for 5.8 million households

• Social Tariffs – Every energy company required to offer lower gas and electricity rates to vulnerable households.

Energy efficiency improvements can be undertaken immediately, by a trusted supplier such as Marks and Spencer, and at no upfront cost  to the householder.  The costs will be met over time through the resulting energy savings made.

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Lancaster and Fleetwood, Eric Ollerenshaw welcomed the announcement.

‘The alarming figures on winter deaths come at a time when fuel bills are at record levels. Pensioner households are clearly among the most vulnerable during the winter months.

‘It is disturbing to see the most vulnerable in our area struggling to afford to heat their homes adequately. The Labour Government have consistently failed to tackle the issue of fuel poverty and today’s announcements show that a Conservative Government would have a bold programme of action to help the most vulnerable in our constituency’