Lib Dems call for Action on Fuel Bills

8.00.00pm GMT Wed 9th Jan 2008

Paul Tilsley has called for "a fair deal" on fuel bills.

Local Liberal Democrats are calling for increased help with fuel bills for the elderly and others on low incomes. Councillor Paul Tilsley (Sheldon Ward) called for a fair deal as he proposed a motion at last night's City Council meeting, highlighting that there are more price rises to come.

The motion, adopted by the City Council, called on the Government to immediately increase winter fuel payments to pensioners by at least £100. Paul Tilsley noted that winter fuel payments were now only 30% of the average energy bill, down from 43% of the average bill when they were first introduced. He also called for the Government to support those on Job Seekers Allowance or Income Support with young children.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Zaker Choudhry (Bordesley Green Ward), pointed out that energy prices have risen by well over 60% in the last 7 years.

Nick Clegg has urged Gordon Brown to do more for hard up families.

Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg MP also used his first Commons appearance as leader to urge Gordon Brown to do more to help hard up families who face higher fuel bills. Speaking at Prime Minister's Question Time, he called on the Prime Minister to press gas and electricity companies to "end the scandal of the poorest families paying the most for their energy needs".

The full text of the motion adopted by Birmingham City Council on Tuesday 8 January 2008 is as follows:

"This Council believes:

• that the Government has failed to provide adequate financial support for the elderly, to assist with the cost of winter utility bills, which have risen dramatically in the last ten years. This failure to index link the Winter Fuel Payment to the cost of gas and electric prices has placed lives of pensioners at greater risk from cold related illnesses.

This Council notes that:

• Government has not increased the winter fuel payment to pensioners since 2000 and have no plans to increase the winter fuel payment during the lifetime of this parliament.

• that gas prices have risen by 61% and electric prices have risen by 39% since 2003.

• the cost of an annual energy bill currently stands at £915 compared with £567 in 2003.

• the fuel payment now only covers 30% of the average winter fuel bill compared with 43% in 2003.

• according to Age Concern 25,000 people die from cold related illnesses during the winter months.

The Council calls upon the Government to:

• with immediate effect increase the winter fuel payment by at least £100.

• on an ongoing basis index link winter fuel payments to cover the increased cost of gas and electricity prices.

• Consider extending the scheme to include people on income support & job seekers allowance who have children under the age of five and people who receive a premium for disability or long term sickness."